Obituary of Associate Professor Jan Bartholdy

On Sunday 23 January, we received the message about Jan’s sudden and much too early passing. Jan was only 65 years old.

Jan was born in Copenhagen and began his studies as cand.polit. there but chose to finish his studies at Queen’s University in Canada. Here, Jan met his wife, Paula, who is Irish. They both received their PhD degree from Queen’s University. After graduating, Jan was employed at Saint Mary’s University in Canada. Following a couple of years in Canada, the course was set for New Zealand where Paula and Jan were employed at the University of Otago in Southern New Zealand. After 10 years in New Zealand, the family settled in Malling, Denmark, and in 1999, Jan was employed at Aarhus School of Business, now Aarhus University.

Around the same time as Jan’s employment, Aarhus School of Business had initiated an internationalization of the school’s study programmes. English became the teaching language of most existing study programmes, and new study programmes with an international perspective were established. A Master’s degree in Finance and International Business (cand.merc. FIB) was the first study programme taught in English at Aarhus School of Business. Jan’s international background proved very useful here, and Jan’s personality was also a decisive factor in the great success of the new master’s degree programme. Jan’s personal approach to the students and his eminent teaching skills made him a highly valued lecturer and key figure in the establishment of the study programme. Jan was a popular lecturer who had high expectations of his students – which was greatly appreciated by them.   

Throughout his career, Jan has been a dedicated and committed researcher – wide-ranging within corporate finance – and with a large, international network.

We will remember Jan as a good friend and inspiring colleague who had the ability to think outside the box. We will also remember him for his ability to engage students in learning. Jan enjoyed having a good laugh and had a great sense of humour. Jan will be missed by students and colleagues.

Jan is survived by his wife, Paula and three adult children. Our thoughts go out to Jan’s family for the loss of a caring and loving husband and father.

In respect of Jan’s memory.

On behalf of Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University,

Anders Grosen and Frank Pedersen