In Memoriam prof.mr.dr. Jitske de Jong
With sorrow, we have learned of the sudden passing of former colleague and emeritus professor Jitske de Jong. We wish her husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends and other loved ones much strength in coping with this sudden loss.
Jitske was professor of Real Estate Law at TU Delft from 1990 to 2011. Until 2003, she held this position at the Faculty of Geodesy, initially in the Planning and Legal Geodesy department. In 1997, this became the Geo-information and Land Policy department. From 2005 until her retirement in 2011, she worked with great satisfaction at the Research Institute OTB.
Jitske has been of great importance to the field. She combined her scientific work with board positions in practice, including the VROM Council, the Mijnraad (Mine Council), Association for Nature Conservation and housing association Patrimonium. She also provided advice to many governments, both in the application and development of laws and regulations. Her influence on spatial planning in the Netherlands was considerable.
She performed her academic and societal functions with flair. She was popular with students, PhD students and colleagues. Besides keen observations, she also displayed a personal touch in her role as a teacher, mentor and manager, which made her very beloved. As a female professor with a family, she served as an exemplar for the university community, without emphasising this role. Even after her retirement, she was still involved with TU Delft as a member of the Working Committee for Doctoral Degrees, again making an important and valued contribution to the academic community. Under her capable and warm chairmanship, many PhD students conducted their defence.
Although Jitske had for some time been forced by illness to leave our work environment, she is still remembered fondly by (former) colleagues and alumni.
