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Thomas Fohgrub
January 2, 1977 - May 1, 2023
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Memories
Memories
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2023-05-19 18:15:02 View / Comment (2)
Paul McCallion
The news of Thomas leaving us has hit us all hard, my thoughts and prayers go to Svenja, Helen, Natalie & Ben at this time the loss of a husband and father is a loss we all feel. I first met Thomas in 2015 when he was working at the Germain consulate in Geneva. Once the GPA was being planned and came into existence, I had an opportunity to interact with him a lot more. Our world will now be lesser, and the kindness, inspiration, leadership, friendship and support Thomas brought to all, will be missed in our daily lives. However, he has set a standard and legacy which we all can be inspired by from the day-to-day example me gave. During me last year in Geneva I was working under a lot of stress and tensions Thomas was always aware of my predicament, he provided nonstop encouragement, laughter and appreciation for my knowledge and professionalism. For myself I will always be grateful that he and his team stayed in contact with me when I left Geneva, and the virtual catch-up calls always made me feel appreciated and supported. The patience and persistence Thomas had to form and establish the GPA will have a long legacy more than ever now, as we enter the last chance opportunity to act decisively on global warming. The small but dedicated global network that he has connected now have a voice and access to energy expertise now has a network to belong to. I will miss his friendly and inspiring ways and his wisdom greatly. Paul McCallion
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2023-05-18 04:17:35 View / Comment (0)Kathleen Callaghy
New York City, 2018. Genesis of the Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Energy Solutions in Situations of Displacement.
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2023-05-17 13:26:35 View / Comment (0)Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen
There are just too many memories to share here. Of the long calls and nights working to found the GPA. Of the happiest moments when we could hire the team and bring such amazing people to work with us. Of being together drinking beer in Berlin, Lisbon, London, New York, Kigali, and of course sharing fondue in Geneva. Of Thomas eating sweet treats and stealing my dinner! I think he would be so proud of how our little humanitarian energy world has come together to celebrate him. I will miss his kindness and mentorship so much. All of us will feel his loss everyday but know how we would want us to continue - being gentle and kind. Here is a photo of some of us laughing together in Kigali. Always, this is how I will remember Thomas.
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2023-05-07 11:01:51 View / Comment (0)Cristina Simonetti-Techert
It has taken some time to be able to post this picture. This is a memory from one evening at the German Residence for German Unit Day. We were waiting for Strudel, that we did not want to miss after a day of work, and Thomas said: We need to send a picture to the Team! The Team: I have been part of the Team from 2020. Little did I know what expected me when we moved to Geneva as family from Berlin. A pandemic, a pregnancy, clean energy in displacement settings AND most of all: Thomas! One call from a good friend who said, you HAVE to meet Thomas. Then NORCAP brought me to his team, a discovery of a new professional world, but most of all a new human dimension. I always thought, I will never in my life find someone like Thomas heading a team. But as many have mentioned, knowing Thomas went a way beyond working together as a team could ever mean. He was a friend, always available to talk about work, but also always available to talk about life. In these three years, when also one of my daughters was born - and he was one of the first to congratulate - I will never forget the role model he was, the counterpart, the person you would wish to be able to resemble just a bit in order to make this world a better place. My thoughts these days are with his family. Svenja, Nathalie, Helena and Benjamin, I know that our prayers will never be enough, but what I know is that one part of Thomas will forever continue living with us. And I hope this will at least help coping with this incredible loss. We miss you, Thomas! May your soul forever rest in peace.
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2023-05-06 19:50:13 View / Comment (0)Aimee Jenks
We lost an angel in the flesh with your passing. Thomas, the last 6 years have been some of the richest, abundant and beautiful times of my life, largely thanks to you and the special journey we've been on together. Just like this day we spent with your family snowshoeing - enjoying the beauty of nature; discussing deep and critical topics in the world and envisioning how it could better; laughing and falling in the snow like little happy kids. Working hand in hand to grow the GPA community and bring your vision into life has been a huge honour and privilege - something that has flowed so naturally due to your passion and ability to navigate & harness complexity to realise what many would think is impossible. I write with big tears from the hole you leave, yet balanced by immense gratitude for how meaningful this journey has been and what qualities you leave in me. Thank you for knowing and seeing me deeply and empowering me to mature into who I've become. I think it is the main thing every soul on this planet is looking for - to be truly seen - and that was simply how you lived and connected with people. It is hard to understand how to move on without you, but I feel guided by your spirit, what you've taught us all these years, and will continue what you and we all started. Thank you for taking me in not just as a friend and colleague, but as family. The transcendence of your vision and spirit is with us, and we love you dearly. In deep gratitude, Aimee
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2023-05-05 15:57:34 View / Comment (0)Stefanie Held
Lisa Tinschert and I would like to share this memory of Thomas, quite recent from the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue. It is so Thomas to smile like that, to get in touch spontaneously to connect, share his new ideas with contagious energy. He sent me the selfie also for a memory, when the three of us first met in Geneva and he still worked at the German Embassy. I owe you Thomas, you have done so much for me. You have been a friend, an advisor, a go to person and a shoulder, an inspirer and a colleague, and yes we talked a lot about chickens (!), very funny. We still had so many plans to help people. I hope that we can continue your legacy with the same humour, patience and kindness that you have shown. I miss you dearly, dear Thomas.
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2023-05-05 13:57:48 View / Comment (0)
Klaus Strasser
Speechless and desperate. My deepest condolences to Thomas' family, friends and colleagues. I cannot express my sadness to hear that Thomas had to leave us. Thomas, a mentor in humanitarian work and a humble role model, showing that there is nothing more important than every individual human being. In 2018 I got to know Thomas at a seminar organized by NORCAP in Oslo. From the first moment, Thomas spoke at eye level, showed interest, and offered his kindness. Since then, Thomas has been a supporter and advisor on my journey within the humanitarian world. I will not forget his charisma and ability to overcome difficulties while never losing the vision to create the better. I don't want to be desperate any longer, but to support keeping his vision alive.
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2023-05-05 09:15:08 View / Comment (0)Gerald Demeules
So many found memories with Thomas, here leading a Decarbonization of Humanitarian Energy mission in Niger with UNDP, UNITAR and NORCAP colleagues. He inspired everyone with his compassion, inclusiveness, kindness, and genuine commitment to help. He was a visionary and a true leader in humanitarian global affairs.
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2023-05-05 20:48:24 View / Comment (0)Sherwin Das
My deepest condolences to Thomas’ family for their loss. I first met Thomas in Astana, then Berlin, then Kigali with numerous exchanges in between. We were like-minded early co-collaborators with a similar vision and approach. He and his team were working on accelerating clean energy transitions in the humanitarian sector, while we were doing the same for peacekeeping operations. The ecosystems in which we operated were different, but we were making progress, and our respective efforts were mutually reinforcing. I was lucky enough to see Thomas during a recent trip to Geneva. It was a Saturday morning, and in his characteristically generous way he invited me to his family home so we could talk work. I was short on time, so he drove down to meet me at the train station in Nyon. We had a good long chat over coffee and talked about ways to collaborate. He was in typical form: passionate and determined, yet gentle and soft-spoken. From the small window into Thomas' life that I had, what struck me was his unwavering commitment to his mission, his ability to create a spirit of meaningful collective action in the service of others, all the while treating the people around him with care and kindness. Thomas leaves behind an inspiring example and legacy. I will miss him.
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2023-05-04 19:51:24 View / Comment (0)Svenja Vollmer
Compassion, dedication, kindness, empathy and joy for life - all of these beautiful values I have been shown by Thomas over and over again when being in his presence. My mind still cannot understand what has happened and my heart is heavy with sorrow - my prayers are with his family and loved ones in these times and I hope that the collective testimony to Thomas' beautiful soul and being can help in finding peace. I join the many friends and colleagues in the commitment to carry on Thomas' legacy through focusing on our common humanity and making a change in this world. Thomas will be dearly missed at UNITAR as a colleague, wise counselor and friend. May his soul rest in peace.
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2023-05-04 17:59:26 View / Comment (0)Sandra Cavalieri
I learned about the GPA from my colleague James Haselip and was very inspired by Thomas's presentation on deforestation and clean cooking in displacement settings presented in a HEPA call on 1 September 2021. While I did not ever have the chance to meet Thomas, I always looked forward to his insights on the monthly HEPA calls, and share my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
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2023-05-04 16:55:01 View / Comment (0)
Jean Marie BORA
Les mots me manquent face à cette perte immense. Dr Thomas était une personne incroyable, qui avait le don de rendre ses proche heureux et dont la bonté restera gravée dans mon cœur à tout jamais. Mes sincères condoléances a la Fammille du defun
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2023-05-04 12:37:39 View / Comment (0)Judith Joan Walker
This photo is from the very first time I met Thomas, in Astana at the World Expo there. That event brought together such a wonderful group of people, that I have had the honour and pleasure of staying in touch with for so many years now. His radiant positivity, kindness and dedication has bonded this community. I am absolute heartbroken I won’t get to see him again. The last time we saw each other, in Kigali, he was fizzing with energy and excitement to bring together all the wonderful people at the Humanitarian Energy Forum again in person. He was glowing and I was so thrilled to see him there. The world has suffered a great loss this week. I will truly miss this wonderful man.
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2023-05-04 10:46:34 View / Comment (0)Olivier Jacquet
My dear memories with Thomas. This was in 2017, not long after I joined Access to Energy at Schneider Electric. Thomas invited me to my first humanitarian seminar in Nairobi. I invited him to visit our containerized solutions at our factory in Kenya. Thomas is an incredible person, full of humanity and utmost commitment towards refugees. I cannot tell how emotional I am to learn such bad news. All my thoughts go to his family and beloved ones.
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2023-05-03 19:11:20 View / Comment (0)
Jaime De Bourbon
A wonderful colleague and friend, passionately driven and on a mission to make meaningful impact for the most vulnerable people. Open, sincere and kind, principled and open minded. His greatest challenge was to convince and teach large institutions to work collaboratively on providing access to clean and safe energy. He endured much, but remained committed. Besides all this I’ll remember his positive mindset, laughter and knowing smiles.
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2023-05-03 19:19:28 View / Comment (0)Coralie Kowalski
I was very shocked and sad to hear about Thomas's passing. During the short time I met him, it was clear that he was a very dedicated humanitarian in the renewable energy sector who was deeply committed to recognizing his colleagues' hard work and contributions. On International Women’s Day, Thomas’s impromptu speech aboard the UNHAS flight from Niamey to Diffa expressed his gratitude to women in humanitarian work. It was a powerful example of his kindness, sincerity, compassion, and motivation. Thomas's legacy will live on through his work to decarbonize humanitarian energy and the memories he leaves behind.
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2023-05-03 14:52:52 View / Comment (0)Anila Noor
I can not express how I was deeply saddened to hear about this heartbreaking news. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Wishing you the best and know you have my full support in every moment. he was a true friend and mentor. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and kids at this difficult time. May he rest in peace, It is a big loss for us. We will never forget you neither can anyone fill the gap. He was the main reason I entered Green Energy sector and his encouragement that we planning to keep building the link with GRN and GPA. Dont know feels everything is apart now.... You ll be miss ... It was Not your time to go so sudden
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2023-05-03 13:52:36 View / Comment (1)Iwona Bisaga
The kindest soul, the most inspiring leader with a vision, dedication and determination like few others. The humanitarian energy sector has been lucky to have Thomas come in when he did, it would not be what it is today without his contributions. It was an honour and a joy to share time in Rwanda with him when he came to attend the Sustainable Energy for All Forum. We talked, we laughed, we explored. I will cherish those moments forever. You are missed, Thomas. See you in the better place.
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2023-05-03 13:52:53 View / Comment (0)James Haselip
So many fond memories of time spent with Thomas since 2017, on and offline. Discussing, debating, strategizing, ranting, laughing. Above all collaborating. Just an amazing and lovely guy who leaves a great team of highly motivated and inspired professionals. Hard to imagine this topic without Thomas. Seen here at his lovely house in the mountains after a walk in the woods, summer 2020.
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2023-05-03 11:15:55 View / Comment (0)
Frank van der Vleuten
Thomas has been one of my most highly respected colleagues, but especially my friend. It was so great to see his ambition on the nexus between energy access and humanitarian work take off. From the first moment we met around a cheese fondue in the swimming pool restaurant in Geneva to the amazing humanitarian energy conference in Kigali. And all the challenges in-between. Always two steps forward, one step back. And throughout Thomas did an amazing job to engage and inspire his colleagues. I was always looking forward to meet Thomas in SDG7 community (like next week in New York). Now there are only dear memories - Frank (MFA-NL)
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2023-05-03 08:26:32 View / Comment (0)Raffaella Bellanca
Assessment mission to Djibouti, Thomas smiling from the top of a grain storage silos while visiting WFP's warehouse... to evaluate solarizing opportunities... of course, 2019.
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Glada Lahn
Glada Lahn
There is little I can add to the beautiful words about Thomas's warmth, kindness and true passion for his work. This was the last time I saw Thomas - on a bright and sunny morning passing through Geneva with my son. Thomas met us for breakfast and we talked about all sorts of things from his excitement about the new Trust Fund that would allow the GPA to transform humanitarian agency energy use, to the chickens he and Svenja kept. Owen and I (Chatham House) find it very hard to believe this wonderful friend and colleague is no longer with us. Thomas's was a rare example of the kind of 'let's get things done' tenacity we need much more of. He was always modest and humble, always giving acclaim to others first. I send my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to his family.
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