In memoriam: Johan Schrama
With great sadness we say goodbye to Johan Schrama: fish nutritionist, senior scientist, crucial sparring partner, close colleague. Chair of the programme committee for Marine Sciences. Networker and strategic thinker. Husband and father of two adult children. Johan turned 60 last year; this year he would have spent 25 years at our Aquaculture Biology and Fisheries Ecology (AFI) group.
Last December, Johan was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Beautiful were the ‘bonus’ weeks between half December and the end of March. Weeks where Johan could go for a long family walk when the weather would be nice, or share a coffee in town with friends. Weekly surprise visits to the office or animal facilities became a new routine.
Johan was a man of few words, which often came mumbled. We all learned to see through his first, sometimes grumpy, response and appreciate the fact that Johan cared. He cared for his PhD students; acknowledged by his ‘supervisor of the year 2025’ award. He cared for his colleagues abroad; you could clearly tell attending our annual Fish Nutrition Workshop. Above all, Johan cared for AFI. To be outcompeted only by the caring for his wife and children.
Johan Schrama started his scientific career studying adaptation physiology of monogastric animals: much of his current fish nutrition work was shaped by this early phase. He loved working close to industry, and could have been a business man if he would have cared for making money. Johan’s black humor stayed with him until the end. We will remember Johan for his honesty, dedication, and lasting impact. He will be truly missed.