Dietrich Franz Deneke significantly influenced and helped shape the founding of the German Research Centre for Geosciences in 1992. He supported the GFZ in an exceptionally constructive manner for many years, especially during the establishment phase of the centre in his function as head of the responsible support unit at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Even after leaving active service, he remained connected to the GFZ as a member of the Association of Friends and Sponsors.
Dietrich Franz Deneke passed away on 1 May 2023.