Professor Rob Tamsma in Groningen: Talent and Discomfort

Abstract Robert Tamsma was a professor of economic and human geography at the University of Groningen in the Northern Netherlands in the 1966–1987 period. The Northern Netherlands was then a prime target area for regional policy. At the same time, the province of Groningen experienced the discovery of what was then the largest natural gas field in the world, a possible new source of welfare. Both issues combined determined Tamsma’s profile in research, and the themes of his lectures and writings, that are still found as inspirations for present‐day economic geographers. In this paper, we look back on Tamsma’s time in Groningen, with personal memories that show that he was not only a very talented scientist, but also struggled with issues surrounding his leadership within the faculty community.