Long-serving former NucNet president has died at age of 80
André Versteegh, who served as NucNet’s president from June 2010 to December 2024 has died at the age of 80.
Andre’s wife Chantal announced “with profound sadness” that André had died on 10 April.
A funeral service is being held at the Westerveld cemetery in Driehuis, the Netherlands, on 17 April. Instead of flowers, Andre’s family has asked for donations to the cancer charity KWF.
André began a long and distinguished career in the nuclear energy industry at the nuclear research and consultancy group NRG in the Netherlands, where he was general manager from 1998 to 2009.
He served in a number of key roles including 14 years as executive vice-president of the European Atomic Energy Society, 15 years as chairman of NRG’s external advisory board NRG and 12 years as an advisor at the Nucleair Nederland industry group.
Most recently, from February 2021, he was chairperson at the non-profit Energy Transition & Nuclear Energy Foundation.
He was NucNet president for 14 years until his retirement in 2024. His presidency began shortly before a challenging period for the nuclear energy industry following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. He supported NucNet through significant change, overseeing its evolution from a fax-based news service based in Bern, Switzerland, to a Brussels-based independent news organisation with subscribers worldwide,
NucNet’s current president Leon Cizelj said the nuclear community has lost a great friend and supporter.
“André was a pioneer in the world of nuclear energy for many years. He worked tirelessly throughout a career that spanned crucial work with the nuclear research and consultancy group NRG in the Netherlands and a number of non-profit organisations.
“He was a committed supporter of NucNet. His presidency saw the organisation through a nuclear renaissance, then a post-Fukushima downturn and then back towards another renaissance. His support and dedication never wavered.
“We will miss his guidance, wisdom and humour. Our thoughts are with his wife Chantal and all the family.”
André is survived by Chantal, two children and five grandchildren.
