"Holger was a very special person; kind, forthright, interesting and interested, a real scholar. I enjoyed working with him. I enjoyed meeting up for coffee and I enjoyed our discussions. Some were academic, others were about tweed jackets and how the English use the word "supper." It was also great to be able to practice my schoolboy German, which occasionally proved useful when discreet conversation was necessary in a meeting. Bis wir uns wieder treffen, auf Wiedersehen Herr Professor. (I hope that was correct). "

"Holger was a role model, both scientifically but also as a person. I truly appreciated his scientific work and honest encouragements but also the way he interacted at conferences and other meetings. He was always friendly, a bit funny and had a very relaxed way of behaving, what a nice person. I will keep just good memories of him. RIP Holger - you will be missed in our field of research. "

"Ich habe den „berühmten“ Holger Schutkowski an einer AAPA Tagung das erste mal persönlich kennen lernen dürfen, ich glaube es war im Jahr 2011 in Minneapolis. Ich habe rasch feststellen dürfen, dass Holger trotz seiner internationalen Reputation ein herzlicher, hilfsbereiter und sehr humorvoller Mensch war. Seitdem waren wir regelmässig in Kontakt und ich habe mich schon immer darauf gefreut, ihn auf die jährlichen Tagungen zu treffen! Die wissenschaftliche Gemeinschaft hat mit Holger nicht nur einen der Besten, sondern eine herzensgute Seele verloren. Ich bin sehr getroffen von seiner Todesnachricht und alle die ihm nahe standen, haben mein aufrichtiges Mitgefühl. Er hinterlässt eine grosse Lücke."

"To echo Edwin's comments with regards to the Feb 2013 trip to Kathmandu. Holger led the BU delegation standing in for the PVC at 48 hours notice. His professionalism was unbelievable. Fond memories. We went from eating in the dark (following a power cut) to sitting in the waiting room of the Prime Minister of Nepal', to hosting bizarre press conferences and taking a 60-minute flight around Everest........all within 24 hours. Holger took it all in his stride with a calm reassurance and a wonderful sense of humour. A truly lovely man. "

"Dear Holger. Your kindness, courage and determination were an absolute inspiration. and your excellent sense of humour made many a meeting more enjoyable. Thank you for your wisdom, patience and positivity. You are truly missed."

"Holger, you were always a smiling, positive and kind colleague and an excellent role model to both students and colleagues. You will be much missed. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones. Rest in peace."

"Dear Holger, I cannot express in words how much it meant to have your trust and support. While I was your last PhD student, you in turn were the first person I ever though of as a mentor. I will think of you every time I compose a polite letter, hear Sibelius, or guide a student. You are missed, but you are also remembered."

"Dear Holger You were an inspiration to so many in so many guises, and your good humour, friendship, kindness, commitment to your work, and contributions to research in our field will be remembered for years and years to come. Go well and peacefully Holger Best wishes Charlotte"

"I will miss our little chats, that often spiralled into slightly deeper discussions about our respective worlds of interest. You were always fuelled with scholarly questions, curiosity and armed with answers drawn from such a huge breadth of knowledge. It was a privilege to know you and respect you. "

"Farewell Holger! We shall miss your smiling face, good humour, and the twinkle in your eye as you pop a tricky question at one of our seminars or conferences. We shall miss your comments and thoughtful analysis of tricky situations. And we shall miss siting with you round the table, a glass of beer to hand and tales to tell. The super-moon was smiling as you made your final journey, and we shall always remember you fondly. "

"Dearest Holger, thank you for the time you spent with me sat outside Christchurch House talking all things we shared about research into health conditions - you weren't just inspiring, you were encouraging, and always left a warm feeling of positivity. I will miss your twinkling smile and dry comments which always shared the smile - goodbye Sir x"

"Holger was such a kind and generous man who cared so passionately about both his work and also the people and students he worked with. He will be greatly missed by his friends, students and colleagues."

"Ich kannte Holger seit ich mich als Student der Anthropolgie gewidmet habe. Er war von Anfang an immer unterstützend, warmherzig und mit einem einzigartigen Sinn für Humor. Wir blieben über die vielen Jahre im Kontakt und ich habe ihn sehr dafür bewundert, wie er bis zum Schluß noch an unserem gemeinsamen Projekt gearbeitet hat. Wir haben einen wunderbaren Kollegen und Freund verloren. Ruhe in Frieden lieber Holger. "

"I met Holger and Niv about 5 years ago whilst dog walking in our local park. We instantly all became great friends within our ‘park crew’ bonding over our love of dogs and all sorts of nonsense. I’ve no idea how he put up with all our weirdness and fun evenings including full on dog birthday parties! "

"I met Holger and Niv about 5 years ago whilst dog walking in our local park. We instantly all became great friends within our ‘park crew’ bonding over our love of dogs and all sorts of nonsense. I’ve no idea how he put up with all our weirdness and fun evenings including full on dog birthday parties! "

"I met Holger and Niv about 5 years ago whilst dog walking in our local park. We instantly all became great friends within our ‘park crew’ bonding over our love of dogs and all sorts of nonsense. I’ve no idea how he put up with all our weirdness and fun evenings including full on dog birthday parties! "

"No matter how many candles are lit, the world is a slightly darker place without your brightness, humour, intelligence and compassion. You will be missed by all those that were fortunate enough to share some of your time, but your enthusiastic thirst for knowledge and support for others will continue through those you have left behind."

"Holger was an example of determination. Now more than ever we realise the fragility of health and life, but you already knew. Not even MND affected his resolution, attitude to life and commitment to work. A kind and light soul. Rest in peace. "

"Holger – it is a great honour to have had you as a colleague, and to know you. A great man with a great mind. I always enjoyed listening to you and to your well-constructed and spoken English! You always had a smile on your face, and that’s how I will remember you. Rest in peace my friend. Genoveva 7th April 2020"

"In fond memory of a good colleague and friend. Sad that this came quicker than we had sometimes joked about in our conversations about ‘endings’. Much love to Nivien; deepest sympathy for wider family. Xxxx Chris "

"Holger was one of the first academics I met when I started my job at BU and he was extremely generous with his time and patient with my uninformed questions. I didn’t know him very well, but first impressions tend to stick and he was warm, humble and witty. My warmest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues."

"The passing of Holger will leave a huge hole in our department. He was a wonderful colleague- always supportive and full of good advice. He will be greatly missed by both staff and students. His courage and resolve, even at the end, will stay with me and serve as an example of how to make the most of life even in the most challenging of circumstances. He is probably the only person whom I will ever know who would chose to travel to work to deliver lectures from his palliative care ward. His courage was remarkable. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and I look forward to being able to come together to honour his life in the manner it deserves. "

"I would like to add a message on behalf of the Bournemouth University branch of the University and College Union, in which Holger was formerly an active member. Holger was a wonderful colleague, with a tremendously kind and generous spirit; he will be very sadly missed. As a member of UCU, Holger campaigned vigorously on behalf of his academic colleagues to help improve their working conditions. On a personal level, I shall greatly miss Holger's friendly but lively approach to academic discussion; he was always prepared to argue quite passionately about his beliefs, but he was also always an excellent listener. Somehow he seemed to impart everything he did with great humour, and this positivity was greatly valued by both colleagues and students alike. "

"Holger was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. I had the pleasure of working with him as we built the BARC facilities at Bradford together as a team - me, Chris, Anthea, Alan, Bob and Holger as our leader. Lots of hard work, but lots of laughter as well. He will be greatly missed. "

"Hollus, forty-five years of friendship - what a long journey! We accompanied each other through the seasons of life, shared so many moments of joy and laughter but also of worries and tears; you were witness to our marriage, godfather to our son and always with us even at a distance. We are thankful that we could be so close to you and spend so many wonderful days with you during your last years. Forty-five years of friendship are not wiped out by death, you will stay with us. "

"Hollus, forty-five years of friendship - what a long journey! We accompanied each other through the seasons of life, shared so many moments of joy and laughter but also of worries and tears; you were witness to our marriage, godfather to our son and always with us even at a distance. We are thankful that we could be so close to you and spend so many wonderful days with you during your last years. Forty-five years of friendship are not wiped out by death, you will stay with us. "

"Holger was a wonderful colleague, an intellectual giant, a polymath and a warm and sensitive human being. A model professional. It has been a great privilege to know him and to work alongside him. Losing Holger has left cavernous gaps in many lives but he remains with us as a guiding spirit. The good might die young but their benign spirit never fades. "

"Auf Wiedersehen Holger, Danke schon and merci for your humour, kindness, discussions over coffee and patient teaching about the inhabitants of the underworld you spoke about with such passion and knowledge. It is always too early to say Au revoir. My thoughts are with your family and friends. Safe and peaceful journey "

"Holger really was one of the good people. I shall miss his warmth, kindness, humour and the erudite advice he gave, over coffee, on many occasion. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

"In September 2019, the joy of working with you just started the moment we had our first Hyksos meeting in Bournemouth, and since then you became my inspiration and you gave me the positive energy every single time I saw you. I will miss our debates around a single espresso but you will always be remembered. Goodbye Holger! "

"Your inquisitiveness and delight in exploring this world will always be a sunny inspiration in my life. Farewell and thank you for sharing time with us as a role model head-to-toe professor and fount of friendly positivity."

"What did Holger teach me? … … midwives and archaeologists have very different views of the world, BUT they can do some amazing research together. Holger is irreplaceable, and will be sorely missed. Sending you strength and virtual hugs Nivien. "

"Holger was one of my lecturers on the MSc Human Osteology and Palaeopathology course at the University of Bradford in 2008-9. He was always really pleasant and supportive towards me and imparted great wisdom and humour. Even after my time at Bradford, he continued to offer support, which I will be forever grateful for. Holger will always be highly respected and fondly remembered. My thoughts and best wishes go out to Niv x "

"Holger was my boss when I was a lecturer at the University of Bradford (my first academic job). He was always so kind to me as a young academic and always offered support and sound advice. He also had a great sense of humour! He will be sorely missed. "

"Holger was such an inspirational man, I am in awe of his work. I am honored to have known him, and to have had the pleasure of being taught by him. His kindness, patience and passion helped me through my dissertation and I will be forever grateful. Holger will be sorely missed. "

"I have fond memories of time spent with Holger in Nepal in 2013. Before our Bournemouth University visit to Kathmandu I didn't really know Holger. During some interesting meetings and over some lovely Nepali food and beers we had some great academic conversations. "

"Holger had such a presence - he exuded warmth and kindness. And that twinkle in the eye! He will be so missed by all of us. We are wishing peace and comfort to Nivien and our warmest thoughts to everyone struggling with Holger's loss."

"Holger was always so kind, patient and warm and made working alongside him such a pleasure. His wit and humour was fantastic and he never failed to make me or others smile. Wishing his family and friends comfort at this difficult time."

"I had the absolute pleasure of working with Holger (mainly to help set his office up to make life a little easier for him at work). His great humour, pride and brave efforts through this crippling disease were so humbling. He remained resolute, and still so human throughout, never loosing that twinkle or smile. Safe journey Holger on your next adventure - the sky has gained yet another shining star . RIP :("