With great sadness, and yet a sense of rich fulfilment, The Centre for Human Ecology announces the death of emeritus director, Ulrich Loening at the age of 94.
Ulrich died on Thursday 10th July in the afternoon in his beloved home at Ormiston in East Lothian. He was cared for by his devoted family, with flowers and vegetables at their peak in his cherished garden, his bees happily buzzing, and surrounded by love.
Ulrich’s teaching, wisdom and presence had an extraordinary impact on generations of CHE students and colleagues, along with many visits and ‘graduations’ beneath the ancient Ormiston Yew, with wonderful hospitality from Ulrich and his wife Francesca. Beyond this, his expansive interests included his work on molecular biology at the Departments of Botany and then Zoology in the University of Edinburgh, founding a sustainable forestry and timber milling company, and passions for music, organic farming and energy conservation.
An obituary is in preparation for publication in the Scotsman, and details will be forthcoming of a public celebration of his life to take place at Ormiston. CHE are developing ideas for how we can honour his legacy, and his visions for the future of human ecology.
Please join us to mourn the passing of Ulrich, and offering deepest condolences to his family. If you wish to leave a tribute, or a message of condolence, you may do so below.
22 responses to “In memoriam: Ulrich Loening 1931-2025”
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I was one of the many students that graduated under the yew tree. For me it was back in 2008. It was a wonderful memory. I still have my little slice of tree as my ‘certificate’. Such a beautiful home and garden and peaceful space. I remember being awed by the refrigerator cooled by outdoor air, and the smell of the planks of wood being seasoned upstairs. Ulrich was a wonderful host, and seemed a gentle soul, full of energy and excitement for the subjects close to his heart, so easy to listen to and talk to, and very positive and optimistic. I think of him very fondly. My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful man.
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I have so many precious memories of time spent with Ulrich (and Francesca) and our many email exchanges – he invited me to give a talk to his students (possibly in the late 1980s) and I knew immediately that we were kindred spirits, with numerous overlapping experiences and understandings – at that first meeting I met one of his students (Samantha Graham, from Sydney, Australia), who invited me to her home in Sydney, before I ever intended to visit Australia – where I now live – Sam, and her family, are still dear friends – loving supportive wishes for Ulrich’s family and friends – Appreciatively, Stuart B Hill, Emeritus Prof, Western Sydney University
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I was a student at CHE 1989_91 and later worked there, in Marchmont. I loved and admired Ulrich, as a teacher, an inspiration and as an example of a fine human being. I loved the home he shared with Francesca and if course the yew tree. I am devastated that I did not manage to visit Ulrich one more time, as I’d planned to recently.
I give thanks for his great life and for the wisdom and joy he shared with such humour and grace. -
So sorry to read this. Ulrich was a wise & wonderful friend: great thinker & pioneer; generous & light footed; a master speaker & listener; inspiring faith in the earth & best of humanity. Glad to see him @GOFalkland last year with full wits about him. May he Rest in Peace in the world beyond 🙏🏼❤️
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Thank you, Ulrich, for inspirational insights and your consistent and unsparing representation of the complexity of the global ecological crisis. Go well, it was a privilege to have known you.
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Ulrich was my group tutor and thesis supervisor at CHE in 2000 and I loved attending his classes – full of lively debate and “critical thinking”. I met my partner Bob through CHE and we both stayed in touch and always received a warm welcome from him and Francesca at his lovely eco home. I learned so much from him and he gave us a lot of support and guidance in setting up our eco centre on Eigg. He was one of those rare people who was an academic and a practical person combined, an inspirational role model for us all to live lightly on the earth. x
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Ulrich – I met you only once, when I visited you at Ormiston. I remember us walking through the Yews, and also discussing hardwood timber drying – with a vast range of other subjects discussed.
I valued that time with you – it influenced the way I think – and hopefully my decision making and actions I take.
Thank you for the amazing contribution you made during your life – and one day – I will build the solar timber drying kiln!
Mark, Living Woods CIC
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My deepest condolences to the family. Ulrich will be missed. I was honored to have had discussions with him and to have him positively referee and jury some of my work in discussions with others ~ May he rest in peace and his memory live on ~ I’m certain he is in discussions of the biosphere with Stephen Hawkings now ~ 🙏
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Ulrich had a lasting vision and was fully committed to every challenge that presented itself over the years. He will be sadly missed across many different disciplines. And so I send my sincere condolences to all of his family and close friends.
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It was a true privilege to know Ulrich—as a friend, a collaborator, and an inspiring thinker. His mind remained sharp and curious even in his final days, and our conversations were always filled with insight, warmth, and a gentle wit. Ulrich lived an extraordinary and full life, and his presence brought happiness to many. He will be deeply missed, but fondly remembered. Sending supportive wishes for Ulrich’s family.
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Ul gave me my first job at the CHE after I graduated in 1984. It was such a privilege to be part of such a rich and stimulating community, all held together by the intellect, humour and charm of Ukrich and Francesca.
Thank you Ulrich, and farewell -
I am a better person for having known you, Ulrich, for the power of your example, for your gentle strength, your formidable intellect and for your irresistible magnetism. The legacy of positive change you leave behind benefits us all.
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Thank you for your teaching and your inspiration over the years. The CHE was a wonderfully formative time in my life, and it is no exaggeration to say that it has influenced everything that I have done since – both my writing, and my way of looking at the world. It was such an honour to share that time – I still have the thin slice of yew tree from our graduation at home. We’ll carry him with us – wishing his family and friends all the very best
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I wish I had visited Ulrich to learn more from him before he left us. We were friends on the Balaton Group, and I learned so much from him, but I know there was more I could have learnt. How lucky we all were to be exposed to him, his great mind and heart. What a contribution he made to the world. He inspired me, and I will miss his thoughtful and gentle nature.
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I first recall Ulrich from early 1990s studying in Ed Uni, inspiring connections around CHE’s fine table. We also corresponded the following decade, trying to save a holistic approach to climate science there. I then stayed some weeks in Ormiston in 2001 developing an early version of the interactive model I still continue now, I recall the fine cellos as well as the yew tree. Even recently we corresponded post-covid (on that topic), most insightful as always.
Human ecology conveys that the network feedbacks continue to echo beyond the life of any node, but this core link will be much missed, I hope Ulrich’s idea-list continues to grow. -
I was lucky enough to come to a few meals around the marvellous wooden table at the CHE in 2002 when I was studying at the University Architecture department, so I know that Ulrich created an unforgettable social and physical environment that was exceptionally full of warmth and inspiration. There are conversations that I still remember to this day. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered
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I first met Ulrich during the Stop Torness Campaign and an early Edinburgh meeting of the Ecology Party. His Centre for Human Ecology was then part of Edinburgh University and housed in Buccleuch Street. His activism was continuous and contageous. There is his music too, and the ‘portable’ sawmill as well, plus a fig tree among my many memories of a wonderful human I spent too little time with.
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I had the honour to meet prof. Ulrich Loening in the Balaton Group meeting. I remember him surrounded and accompanied by young people, including myself, and telling us his life stories. His eyes were radiating kindness and wisdom. All this signaled to me that this was an extraordinary human. It was a life well lived. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
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I know Ulrich from the Balaton Group and was inspired by the work at the Centre of Human Ecology. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
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I met Ulrich through the U3A Philosophy of Biology group and found him so knowledgeable and thoughtful. He was always prepared to listen to you and share ideas and so enthusiastic about anything to do with biology. A real inspiration for any students who were lucky enough to be taught by him.
He will be sadly missed but always remembered.
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I was very moved to meet Ulrich at the 2023 De/growth co-learning lab, to feel the legacy of his work in the room, and the warmth of his encouragement to us all. The De/growth course made a deep and lasting impact on me, which continues to inform my work and worldview.
What a legacy he poured into the carrying steam. My condolences to all who were close with him. -
Ulrich encouraged and supported organisations promoting human ecology around the world, especially the Society for Human Ecology and the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council. I greatly valued my few contacts with him and wish there had been time to get to know him better.
He taught , researched and lived human ecology.
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