Daniel Odermatt was born on February 13, 1963. After his degree and PhD in Economics and Information Systems at the University of Bern, he worked as the Head of Information Technology, Product Development and Processes and as a member of the management board of Mobiliar from 1991 to 2002. Following this, he was Director of Strategy Consultation at the Computer Science Corporation between 2002 and 2004. In 2004, Daniel Odermatt took up his role as Administrative Director at the university. He was married an father of two adult children.

Back in the bosom of his alma mater, he was part of a massive surge of development. The number of students increased by almost half; the university’s budget during this time was increased by 70%; the University of Bern developed from an administrative division of the department of education into an educational institution based on modern principles; the European Credit Transfer System was introduced; there were a number of building projects, like the development of the von Roll-Areal, the alteration of the SBB building, the new sport science building and the new building on Murtenstrasse, to name but a few; there were major steps in the digitalisation of administration; the IT structure was developed and upgraded; Bern’s role as a medical center was reinforced, along with much, much more. This was truly a Herculean task for the Administrative Director's Office.

From the very beginning, Daniel Odermatt restructured the Administrative Director's Office with a strategic foresight, tailoring it to the needs of future tasks. With wise forward planning, he filled the key roles in his department with outstanding, qualified colleagues. At last count, there were about 500 colleagues assigned to his division – in the Building Development Office, Facility Management Office, Finance Office, Human Resources Office, IT Services Office, University Library Bern and University sports. With his motto of “To Manage is To Design”, he transformed the Administrative Director's Office into a service-based and process-optimised unit.

Daniel Odermatt was a charismatic manager, who was omnipresent in all areas of the university. He never shied away from explaining sensitive and unpleasant decisions in direct conversations and was valued by all for this. He was popular among staff for his straightforward yet sensitive management culture. He gave his colleagues the trust they needed and enough leeway to implement even the most ambitious projects. Colleagues could always rely on his assertions and decisions, which were evidence of his wisdom and foresight. His ability to understand complex matters very quickly, to always ask the right questions and then make fast and accurate decisions was simply phenomenal.

Daniel Odermatt also understood and appreciated the academic traits of our eight faculties with their very different needs. He was "one of ours" – after all, he also worked as a lecturer at the Institute of Information Systems. He understood the needs and wishes of the teaching staff at the University of Bern. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he never shied away from taking unusual, pragmatic steps. I would like to quote this passage in place of all the messages of commemoration and condolence that have been sent to me from the lecturers: "His first interaction with me was in 2003, when he helped me find a house. During his last interaction with me, he made sure – obviously while on vacation – in the late evening of July 4, that I got the signature I needed for a newly approved grant."

Daniel Odermatt was always understanding of the concerns of the students and the intermediate staff. Most recently, he had been involved in the search for viable solutions to reduce the cost of meals for university employees and students in divisions of Bern University Hospital and to improve the career prospects for young researchers.

His small amount of free time was dedicated mainly to his family and to sport. For a long time, he was an active volleyball player in a number of clubs. In his earlier years, he participated in track and field with TV Länggasse athletics club. More recently, he and his wife have increasingly concentrated on playing golf. There was no indication that he was near the end, which is why we are so speechless. Even though he is no longer with us, his contribution to the development of our university will occupy an important place in the University of Bern’s history books and we are extraordinarily grateful to him for this.

On behalf of the Executive Board and the Senate,

Prof. Dr. Christian Leumann, Rector