Prof Hans-George Wenzel (1945-1999)

When talking about the stochastic approach of modification of Stokes for geoid computation two names always been quoted - Sjoberg and Wenzel. Prof Sjoberg is famous with his formulation described particularly in three journal papers (Sjoberg 1984, 1991 and 2003) while Wenzel has two both published in 1980's (Wenzel 1982, 1983). As mentioned in previous post Wenzel's work on stokes modification can only be found in these two papers. It seemed no follow-up and no taker continuing his work. This is understandable as a results of his demise in 1999 at the age of 54.
Wenzel in memoriam written by Torge in IAG Newsletter March 2000 can be read here.

Wenzel was born in 1945 and he studied geodesy at TU Hannover in 1968-1972. He then entered Institute of Theoretical Geodesy U of Hannover and he received the Doktor-Ingenieur degree with a thesis on the accuracy of gravimetric earth tides observations (1976), and his Dr.-Ing. habil. thesis dealt with high resolution spherical harmonic models for the gravitational potential of the earth (1985).

Wenzel two monumental papers on stochastic stokes modification were;

Wenzel H.G. (1982): Geoid computation by least-squares spectral combination using integration kernels. In Proceedings of IAG General Meeting, Tokyo. pp: 438-453
Weber, G & Wenzel H.G. (1983) Error covariance functions of sea gravity data and implication for geoid determination. Paper presented to IAG General Assembly, Tokyo. Marine Geodesy 7: 199-226

Another major publication of importance to geoid is;

Wenzel (1998) Ultra-high degree geopotential models GPM98A, B, and C to degree 1800. In Proc of the joint meeting of the International Gravity Commission and International Geoid Commission, Trieste Italy.

Late Prof Hans-George Wenzel

- - - -