On 10 November. 2023, Prof Dr Klaus Mackscheidt passed away at the age of 88. On 18 December, he was laid to rest with his wife surrounded by family and friends. The field of finance in Cologne has lost a passionate university lecturer and an outstanding economist.
Klaus Mackscheidt studied economics at the universities of Heidelberg, Munich, Vienna and Cologne. He received his doctorate in economics from the University of Mainz in 1967 and qualified as a professor in economics at the University of Cologne in 1971. Two years later, he became a full professor of economics at the WiSo Faculty, specialising in public finance. From 1997 until his retirement in 2001, he served as Dean of the WiSo Faculty.
From 1973 until his death, Klaus Mackscheidt was Director of the Finance Research Institute at the University of Cologne (FiFo Köln) for 50 years. For many years, he also served as Managing Director of the Institute for Housing Law and Housing Economics at the time.
Colleagues and students remember him as an always enthusiastic university lecturer who impressed them with his presentation skills. As a scientist, he inspired many researchers and always encouraged everyone to think outside the proverbial box. His research focussed on finance and budget policy, financial psychology, the limits of taxation, public goods and social security.
Klaus Mackscheidt's unwavering commitment is not only reflected in his numerous publications well into old age; even posthumously, two FiFo discussion papers "Climate Protection and Housing Needs" and "Special Assets versus Debt Brake" were published that are still anchored in current discourse.
The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences bids farewell to this outstanding personality. We will sorely miss our colleague and honour his memory. We wish his family the strength they need to get through these difficult times.