We were deeply saddened when our good friend Jens Sandahl Christiansen passed away in December 2015, following a short illness. Jens Christiansen was Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, and Consultant in Endocrinology at the Department of Medicine at Aarhus University Hospital.

His contribution as one of the founding fathers in the creation of the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) was immeasurable, as it moved from a federation-based society to a society with individual membership. He was also integral to the formation of the extremely successful European Journal of Endocrinology.

His primary motivation and focus was education, and he always strongly supported ESE’s postgraduate activities. His partnership approach regarding ESE’s relations with industry helped to place ESE in the strong financial position that it occupies today. He always had an eye on the next generation of endocrinologists and was very keen to support our younger colleagues, and also to ensure that all geographical corners of Europe are empowered to support their own educational activities.

He was involved in so many societies over the years, it is difficult to know where he found the time. In the case of the European Federation of Endocrine Societies (EFES)/ESE he was an active member of several committees and Treasurer (2003–2009), before moving on to support ESE as Chair of the Corporate Liaison Committee. At the time of his death, he was also the serving Editor-in-Chief of Endocrine Connections, the official open access journal of ESE and the Society for Endocrinology. He had been Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the extremely successful European Congress of Endocrinology in Copenhagen in 2013.

ESE would not be where it is without Jens’s support over the years. We have lost a great scientist, clinician, collaborator and friend. We realise that Jens is irreplaceable and we will miss him greatly, and extend our sincere condolences to his family and close friends.

In these sad days, we will raise a glass to honour his spirit – he would have liked that.

AJ van der Lely

ESE President, on behalf of all at ESE