Karl Johan Åström, 1934-2026
Karl Johan Åström, professor emeritus at LTH, Faculty of Engineering, has passed away. In 1965, he was appointed professor at LTH and founded the Department of Automatic Control. As he developed the discipline of automatic control at LTH, his research also gained significant international recognition.
– Published 12 November 2026
The Department of Automatic Control writes on its website:
"It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Karl Johan Åström, 12/11 at 07:30.
Karl Johan will be remembered worldwide for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of control. In Sweden, he is rightly regarded as the father of modern control and the founder of our Department of Automatic Control in Lund.
Beyond his extraordinary professional achievements, Karl Johan was an exceptional human being – kind, generous, and endlessly curious. He was a gifted teacher and author, a dedicated mentor to generations of students, a supportive colleague, a pioneering researcher, and a true friend to many."
Recently, it was announced that Karl Johan Åström has been awarded Lund University’s gold medal.
Tomorrow, Friday, the flags at LTH will be flown at half-mast.