HEIDELBERG, Germany—Diagnostic instrument maker Heidelberg Engineering reported that one of its co-founders and managing director, Dr. Gerhard Zinser, passed away on Nov. 19, 2017. No further details were provided.

Dr. Zinser was a pioneer, an inventor, and the driving force behind many of Heidelberg Engineering’s technologies and products, such as the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) and the Spectralis platform, according to a statement released by the company, based here. Heidelberg Engineering said Zinser was “the quintessential scientist” whose “acumen and considerable contributions to the field of ophthalmology and optometry could only be matched by his humility and generosity as a person.”

“I have had the privilege of working with Gerhard for nearly three decades in an exceptionally harmonious partnership. He will be sorely missed by all of us here at Heidelberg Engineering, but we remain steadfastly determined to maintain and expand his lifelong mission to bring innovation to the field of eye care for many more years to come.” said Christoph Schoess, co-founder and managing director of Heidelberg Engineering GmbH.

Heidelberg Engineering invites anyone who collaborated with Dr. Zinser over the years to share their thoughts and sympathies via this email address: condolences@heidelbergengineering.com.