Johann Lutjeharms became the Chair of Ocean Climatology at the University of Cape Town in 1990 and, in 1993, became the founding director of UCT's Centre for Marine Studies.
10 Facts About Johann Lutjeharms
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Johann Lutjeharms was made Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa in 2009.
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Johann Lutjeharms coined the term 'Natal pulse' in 1988 to describe a large offshore meander in the Agulhas Current originating near Durban.
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Johann Lutjeharms was a recipient of South Africa's highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, for his contribution to and achievements in oceanographic science.
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The University of Cape Town has three main forms of recognition for its academic staff; Lutjeharms received all three, and he held honorary degrees from the universities of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rhodes.
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Johann Lutjeharms extended his academic endeavours to the Afrikaans language by compiling a dictionary of oceanographic terms, and contributing to the leading dictionary of the language.
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Johann Lutjeharms was born in Bloemfontein on 13 April 1944, and attended Grey College.
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Johann Lutjeharms completed his undergraduate studies in physics and, in 1971, received his MSc in oceanography at the University of Cape Town and was awarded the Harry Crossley Bursary, the Fisheries Development Corporation postgraduate overseas bursary and the CSIR overseas bursary to study for a PhD at the University of Washington, where he graduated in 1977.
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Johann Lutjeharms was married to Ronel and they have two children, Wilhelm and Maria.
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Johann Lutjeharms died at his home in Stellenbosch, aged 67, on World Oceans Day, 8 June 2011, after a 10-year battle with cancer.