It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Gerd Koffmane, co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of AP Sensing.
As one of the founding minds behind AP Sensing, his contributions were instrumental in shaping the company’s technology, values, and culture from the very beginning.
Gerd began his career in 1983 after earning a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Diplom-Ingenieur) from the University of Stuttgart. He joined the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Böblingen Instrument Division as an R&D engineer, where he quickly became known for his technical expertise and innovative thinking. Over the years, he held increasingly senior roles and ultimately served as Director of R&D at HP’s Digital Test Division, later part of Agilent Technologies.
In 2007, Gerd co-founded AP Sensing, where he served as CTO. With deep technical vision and unwavering dedication, he led the development of our core technologies. Gerd’s forward-thinking approach and passion for innovation laid the foundation for the Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) solutions we offer today.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gerd was known for his warmth, integrity, and mentorship. He had a gift for bringing people together, whether through collaboration or open, thoughtful conversation. For many, he was not only a colleague but also a trusted advisor and friend.
Gerd’s impact extends well beyond the systems he developed. He helped build a company culture defined by technical excellence, curiosity, and mutual respect. His legacy lives on in the people he worked with, the innovations he pioneered, and the values he lived by.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.