Staff and students have paid tribute to Georg Zaenker, a first year computing undergraduate student who passed away on Saturday 7 March.

Members of the Department of Computing came together on Wednesday to share their memories of Georg and sign a book of condolence.

Professor Susan Eisenbach, Head of the Department of Computing, said: "Georg was an excellent student who played a proactive part in our student community. In addition to his outstanding grades, he enjoyed participating in Hackathons, and was running for Webmaster of DoCSoc.

“As a well-liked and enthusiastic member of our community he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Georg’s family and friends.”

Fellow Computing student and Computing Society (DoCSoc) Webmaster Nic Prettejohn said: "I've been involved in a lot of DoCSoc events this year and consequently I got to know Georg well - he didn't miss a single one. From bar nights to hackathons, Georg would be there. Always cheerful, smiling broadly and enthusiastic to make new friends. He took every opportunity to touch the lives of students across the department.

“I remember Georg's insatiable curiosity and unmatched enthusiasm. Not only did he work incredibly hard, there was always an awesome project or an exciting article to tell me about. Georg loved the companionship of labs, and was a regular resident over the weekends. The way he saw it, we were all in this together.

“Georg's passing leaves a hole in the lives of his family, his friends, his classmates, and the Department.”

Jonathan Masters, Georg’s roommate in Evelyn Gardens, said: "Georg was my roommate but more than that he was my friend, he was a brother to me and I loved him; he had an infectious passion for his subject, for his friends, and for everything in-between.

“I know so many people who grow to resent their roommates within a couple of weeks, but within a couple of days I knew that Georg and I were compatible, and that only grew from there.

 “He was one of the most authentic people I have ever met, always giving his honest opinion, regardless of anyone else's problems with what he said. He enjoyed his subject more than anyone I have met and he would often talk to me enthusiastically about something that I had no clue about, but he would discuss it with me regardless.”  

Staff and students can share their tributes to Georg below.