In Loving Memory of Jens Alkemper

It is with great sadness to share the very sudden and unexpected death of Jens Alkemper. Jens was a loyal friend, great husband and father, plus a loving person who cherished his precious time and connections with both his family and friends.  Many of Jens’ close friends came from his working relationships with others during his professional career at GE and FM Global.

 

First, I must mention that Jens earned a Ph.D. in physics with awards from a top school in Germany, at the same time had the option of being given a Ph.D. in engineering. He did his postdoctoral work at Northwestern University in Materials Science and Engineering and became an Associate Professor there while earning an MBA with top awards.

 

Jens earned the highest of honors through his life in academia, scientific research and corporate or business world. Jens' curiosity steered him in many directions in these facets of his career, while he later chose a keen focus transforming Risk & Reliability Management by influencing chief business executives, scientists, and engineers across the globe.  His unique skill set allowed Jens to invoke creative ideas to be adopted by others and transformed the way our business ran.  The final step in his career brought him to FM Global as Research Area Director for the past 7 years.  A position he sought out with great zeal and cherished each moment of his professional working days.  His previous years with GE Research and Energy provided many of his colleagues there with an opportunity to work with this exceptional person who influenced all of us and did so in such a professional, intelligent, yet with a very humble approach and manner.

 

Jens was a dedicated husband and father of two.  He left this world with a loving wife, Virginia and two incredibly special children Genevieve (age 19) and Tristan (age 17).  Genevieve is currently studying Game Design and Development with an economics minor at R.I.T and Tristan, in his Jr year of high school, is paving a path to become a physicist like his father.  Jens' children seeking out higher degrees of education is a reflection of the academic achievements of both Jens and Virginia.

 

Jens was a dedicated family provider, and his loved ones are very thankful of his constant contributions to their needs.  All funds that are collected will help to contribute to the passions of his two children seeking to become highly educated and later influence the world like their father.

 

There will be no funeral or service for Jens, but rather a small, simple memorial event in Germany with his immediate family.

 

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

 

Jens will be loved and missed forever by many!