Professor Jac Spaans

News & Press: Member News

20 June 2022 (2 Comments)

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We have received the sad news that Jac Spaans has died at the age of 87.

Jac was co-founder, former President and Honorary Member of the Netherlands Institute of Navigation and a Fellow of our Institute, and had also been Chairman of the European Group of Institutes of Navigation (EUGIN) and President of the International Association of Institutes of Navigation (IAIN).

He had been a merchant ship captain and went on to follow a distinguished academic career, including as a professor at the Dutch Royal Naval College and a special professor at Nottingham University. In 2004 he was appointed an Officer of the Royal Order of Orange-Naussau for his contributions to navigation science and applications.

Jac was very knowledgeable, practical and helpful in all topics concerning navigation. He was also extremely good company and a good friend of our Institute; he will be sorely missed.

We pass our sincere condolences to Jac's wife, Adri and their family, and to the Nederlands Instituut voor Navigatie.

Jac Spaans 2 August 1935 - 13 June 2022

Comments...

James Taylor says...
Posted 22 June 2022

A remarkable man who made a massive impact on PNT and resilience. EGNOS, Galileo and its PRS, the formulation of standards for provision of GNSS - these and so many others came about due to Jac's knowledge, influence and unfailing humour. I was proveleged to be present when he received his Order of Orange-Nassau. Much missed, yes, but his influence and achievements will be with us for many a year yet.

Renato Filjar says...
Posted 22 June 2022

Jac was an extraordinary scientist and practicing navigator. An eloquent, intelligent, and affable gentleman. Jac, safe navigation, we will miss you, enormously!