It was my privilege to meet Stefan just a few weeks ago when I joined the GS-Foundation where he last worked as the COO. Even in this brief time, he made a lasting impression as a kind-hearted individual, a dedicated peacemaker, and a proud father. Stefan’s warmth, leadership, and presence created an atmosphere of inclusivity and inspiration. Beyond his remarkable professional achievements, he was a deeply thoughtful and philosophical soul, reflecting profoundly on the interconnectedness of all living beings. His wisdom and kindness will be greatly missed.

Stefan was a man full of vision and desire to make the world a better place. Sadly, he left us far too soon. We mourn not only the loss of our colleague, but more importantly, the loss of a friend that we have grown to care about over the past year. We hope that we were able to brighten your last year with a few moments of joy. You certainly gave us moments of joy, admiration and drive. Your positive nature and kind heart have changed us and we will never forget you.

I too feel very privileged, honored, and thankful to have met Stefan. It was about two decades ago that I met him in Kosovo. I was immediately stunned by his openness, fairmindedness, knowledge, dedication, and hard work, which had a lasting impact on myself. In my opinion it is rare to meet a person like Stefan. He was truly an outstanding individual. I am sure that his legacy will live on and continue to inspire many people. I am sending my condolences and very best wishes to his family and friends.

I had the privilege to know and work together with Stefan for more than 20 years. Starting with Kosovo and Bosnia, later with the UN, UNITAR and the GS-FOUNDATION. Stefan was a role model with a vision, to make this world a better place. We will never forget you. Rest in peace my friend! My deepest condolences to the family!

With Stefan Feller, I have lost a constant companion and a true friend. Stefan was not just a colleague or mentor to me—he was someone who shaped my path and inspired me in countless ways. Whether in the Foreign Office, in Afghanistan, or beyond, Stefan was always there, with his vision, strategic mind, and his deep humanity. He brought not only unmatched expertise and dedication to his work but also a kindness and warmth that made every challenge seem more manageable. His presence lit up every room, every meeting, and every project we worked on together. Stefan, you were always more than just a professional companion—you were a true friend. I learned so much from you—your wisdom, your integrity, and your belief in the power of humanity. What you taught me will live on in me, shaping the way I approach life and work. I miss you deeply, and my heart aches knowing you are no longer with us. My deepest condolences go out to his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Your legacy, Stefan, will live on in our memories, our work, and the values you taught us to hold dear. I will never forget you.

I have had the honor and privilege to meet and work with Stefan on several occasions during the last few years. Stefan was an honest, committed, super motivated and hard working professional and for many an example. You will be truly missed! My condolences to the family and friends for this huge loss.

It was with a great regret that I hearded oft he sudden death of Stefan Feller. Even though I only had a short time the opportunity to get to know Stefan Feller briefly as COO of the GS-Foundation as part of the trinational police project Germany/Chile/Colombia, he impressed me with his international expertise, his competence and his human approach. My deepest compassion goes to his familiy, his friends and to all the colleagues who had the privilege of working with him.

with great sorrow we at the GPU learned about Stefans sudden death. I`ve known him since the beginning of my professional career and we met on several occasions during many years and in different countries. He contributed to a very large extend to the benefit of peace and people. For a short term he was also a well received expert member of our University and lectured here. I've rarely seen a more task- dedicated and motivated person. We and I will miss him and his always good mood and smile very much indeed. Rest in peace dear Stefan.

I was very saddened to learn about Stefan's untimely departure. I had the pleasure to work with him during his assignment with the United Nations in Kosovo, and then during his tenure as Police Adviser in New York. He always demonstrated an outstanding level of leadership, professionalism, dedication and courage. He was always available to discuss and demonstrated a thorough commitment to the values of the United Nations. I would like to express to his family and friends my deepest condolences in these challenging circumstances.

Stefan was a great professional and my close friend. He left an important legacy everywhere he served, under the UN and the EU, and his country’s core values. I keep fond memories of my last years at UNHQ/NY, when Stefan was dealing with civilian crises management on behalf of the EU and I was a counterpart on behalf of the UN, within the UN-EU Steering Committee. When plans were complex to iron out our leaders would say “we’ll leave it to the twins (Stefan and I :)) and they’ll find the best solution. And we always did. And we always believed that we were saving civilians lives and protecting the rights and freedoms of the most vulnerable through a genuine union of effort. May Stefan’s example continue to guide new generations of true peacekeepers. May your soul rest in peace and illuminate our lives, forever dear friend. Antero 🙏🏼

Stefan was a great professional and my close friend. He left an important legacy everywhere he served, under the UN and the EU, and his country’s core values. I keep fond memories of my last years at UNHQ/NY, when Stefan was dealing with civilian crises management on behalf of the EU and I was a counterpart on behalf of the UN, within the UN-EU Steering Committee. When plans were complex to iron out our leaders would say “we’ll leave it to the twins (Stefan and I :)) and they’ll find the best solution. And we always did. And we always believed that we were saving civilians lives and protecting the rights and freedoms of the most vulnerable through a genuine union of effort. May Stefan’s example continue to guide new generations of true peacekeepers. May your soul rest in peace and illuminate our lives, forever dear friend. Antero 🙏🏼

I first met Stefan Feller at the United Nations in New York in 2017. We spoke only briefly, but that conversation left a lasting impression on me. I had met a colleague who was just as pleasant as he was competent. This impression was revived when Stefan took on the role of COO at the GS Foundation in Essen and we worked on our first project together. We quickly formed a good connection thanks to his positive and approachable demeanour and his extensive international experience. I was shocked to hear the news of his unexpected death. We have lost not only a treasured person, but an experienced and highly motivated police expert who contributed effectively and constructively to many different areas. My team and I miss him very much. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Stefan’s loved ones and to everyone who worked with him. I hope you find the strength to get through this difficult time. Andreas Schmenkel-Backhoff, Commander-in-Chief of the Public Order Support Forces of the Länder

It was with great sorrow that I learned about passing away of Commissioner Stefan Feller. He was as an excellent professional who brought his wide experience and expertise to the United Nations Police Division, and moved ahead few strategic initiatives which formed his legacy until nowadays. On a personal note, I will always remember him as an amazing example of leadership. I was serving in his office on a Special Assistant position for few years thus seeing him closely every day, and I would like to emphasize his attention to staff needs, and readiness to take extra efforts to assist colleagues. Please accept my deepest condolences.

The world stands still and I am lost for words. It was only at the end of August that Stefan came to us in Brühl for our celebration for mission participants and their families. One event in particular has remained in my memory. When Stefan was Police Commissioner in Kosovo, there was a shooting rampage at a prison in which several US guards were killed. Relatives who traveled from the USA to Kosovo were personally looked after and cared for by Stefan. All people were always important to him and he would have given anything for them. Thank you, Stefan, for your tireless efforts for a better world. Sooner or later, we will all meet again. Rest in peace.

Dear Stefan, I will miss your kindness and the way you always made people feel valued. Thank you for all the moment we shared. Rest in peace, my friend. Vedran

Stefan’s true wealth was all the good he has done in this world. His service to so many causes means his soul will live on beyond the grave. We will remember you. My deepest condolences go out to his entire family.

It is rare to encounter someone who so seamlessly combined warmth and intellect as Stefan did, especially in his remarkable ability to lead multinational teams through times of crisis and uncertainty. I deeply admired and was profoundly grateful for Stefan’s leadership, commitment, and unwavering enthusiasm, particularly in his advocacy for equality, diversity, and respect for the most vulnerable in the provision of security. We at Gender Associations admired his dedication and insights in and outside the project implementaiton we worked on. Though our time together was brief, I am deeply thankful and honored to have shared that journey with him. My sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.

Dear family, colleagues and friends, please accept my deepest condolences. I have had the privilege to work closely with Stefan on the implementation of the Western Balkans Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Roadmap. He was a passionate supporter of this initiative and was also strongly committed to prosperity of the Western Balkans region which he held close to his heart and where he had spent several years during his long career. I received the news of Stefan’s sudden death in disbelief and with deep sadness. I talked to Stefan just a few days earlier and exchanged emails. He was very much looking forward to the regional meeting that we are organizing beginning of December in Skopje. He was known for his kindness, and his commitment to promotion of human rights and the rule of law. There was seldom a conversation with him in which he would not bring up his concerns for the vulnerable and marginalized groups. He also often spoke about his children, with affection, pride and great love. One of his last words I remember from the last call we had was him apologizing for having to leave the meeting as he was eager to meet with Jupiter. Dear Jupiter, if he was a couple of minutes late on that Friday afternoon, the last Friday for him, do know that it was me and one of his colleagues holding him up in a call. Stefan left a large legacy, and this is something to celebrate. His rich life committed to a greater cause. He will be missed.

I am shocked and in sorrow to learn of Stefan's passing. While we never worked together we shared the same floor in NY and his humanity, wit and passion for policing and the UN was visible. It was always a delight to see him on the floor or share a moment over coffee. I'll keep Stefan in good memories. May he rest in peace.

Deeply saddened by his sudden passing, Stefan will always be remembered as the warm and caring human that he was. My heartfelt condolences to his family and all those whose lives he touched – like my own. I will forever cherish our ineffable connection and truly miss our so magical conversations. He was a wonderful guide in life. I am certain he will continue being so as his energy goes beyond the ephemeral. I am honoured and incredibly grateful to have known him as a dear friend in my life. Lieber Stefan, die Menschlichkeit ist da, wo Du und ich und jeder sonst sie leben. “We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us. Even while the earth sleeps we travel. We are the seeds of the tenacious plant, and it is in our ripeness and our fullness of heart that we are given to the wind and are scattered.” – Kahlil Gibran

Stefan and me we met first when we were schooled in the first class at the Warstein Gymnasium (the Sexta) where we became best friends and buddies for the following years at school and beyond. We both were science fiction fans and loved to discover our world with a never ending curiosity about what is happening in it. About nature, people, their failures, triumphs and downfalls, love and fears. About a world with wonders and secrets and men and women to succeed or fail in it. Maybe, Stefan was always meant to be a policeman. Not only to fight crime but always with his ongoing sense of organizing himself and his environment and never ending passion for good communication, which gave him a sense for conflicts and how to solve them. Always with respect but also with obstinacy to achieve his goals. So he became a manof law and irder while i became a man if natural laws and sciences, making my PhD , doinf research and finally founding a start up company

We can't believe Stefan has just gone, we will miss him very much. It was a great privilege working with him, we are proud of having had him on our conventional arms control team at the German Federal Foreign Office. Stefan was an essential part of the GFFO’s team to strengthen the control of small arms, light weapons and ammunition worldwide, especially in the Western Balkans. We all have learned so much from him, both professionally and personally. Stefan‘s drive to make the world a better place was infectious! Our thoughts are with his family and close friends during these difficult times. His former team colleagues at the GFFO’s division for conventional arms control, Jane Felber, Monika Landwehr, Rebecca Mattes, Isabel Sarasin, Albrecht von Wittke.

Sharing the text of the words I drafted to deliver at the UN memorial to Stefan; however I found it impossible to say and instead mumbled some empty words while crying. I hope what I wrote here has done him justice. Stefan’s life was a beacon of service, courage, and humanity. Stefan’s legacy is one that transcends the uniform he wore, reaching into the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Stefan devoted his career to the pursuit of peace and justice, often placing himself in situations of great risk to protect the vulnerable and uphold the principles of law. His unwavering commitment to building safer communities and strengthening international cooperation left an indelible mark on the UN family and the countless lives he touched. Beyond his professional achievements, Stefan was a kind and compassionate soul. We all admired his humility and resilience, cherished his warm smile and the genuine care he extended to everyone around him. He was more than a leader; he was a mentor, a confidant, and an inspiration to those who walked alongside him in the shared mission of creating a better world. I think back to all of the MANY times I begged him to wind up yet another too long speech, and now how I wish we could all be in the audience for one more lesson in how the world could be a better, kinder, more compassionate place. Stefan’s absence leaves a void that words cannot fill, but his spirit endures in the lives he changed and the ideals he championed. As we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate his life—a life that embodied selflessness, integrity, and hope. In the face of immense challenges, Stefan never wavered. He reminded us of the profound difference one person can make in the world. May we carry forward his legacy by striving to build a future rooted in the values he held dear. Rest in peace, Stefan. Your light will forever guide us.

Mein herzliches Beileid der Familie. Ich bin tief betroffen und geschockt. Ein guter Freund ist verloren . 😢

Lieber Stefan, Du wirst vielen Menschen fehlen, Hast mir Ende Oktober eine intensive Sprach- Nachricht hinterlassen. Es ging Dir nicht gut. Warum Du gestorben bist, hat mir niemand gesagt, Niemand hat mich benachrichtigt. Ich wusste bis diese Woche nicht, dass es Dich nicht mehr gibt. Meine Weihnachtsgrüsse und anderes wurden nicht beantwortet und ich dachte, Du weilst wahrscheinlich in Kanada und deshalb ging Dein Handy nicht. Du hast Infos etc. normal zeitnah beantwortet. Da ich aber. niemanden von Deinen Brüdern kannte, konnte ich auch keinen anderen Kontakt ausmachen, Wir kannten uns 23 Jahre, aber ich kenne niemanden von Deinen Angehörigen. Damals lernten wir uns im Kosovo schätzen und kennen. Wir beide sind Wassermänner und Freigeister, sowie viel arbeitende Wesen. Ich wünsche Dir eine schöne Reise ins Universum. Herzlichst, Eva-M.H.