Erhard Hornbogen was one of the scientists who has made major contributions to the new subject of materials science with a strong focus on microstructures. Very young, after having completed his Dr.-Ing. thesis at the University of Clausthal he joined the research labs of US Steel Corporation, where he interacted with leading material scientists like Larry Darken and Edgar Bain. Early in his career he made contacts to scientists in Japan. He completed his habilitation in Stuttgart and became professor for metallurgy in Peter Haasen's institute in Göttingen, before founding the Institute for Materials at the Ruhr-University Bochum. He received numerous awards and has supported many young materials researchers in their career paths in academia and industry. With this contribution we would like acknowledge Erhard Hornbogen's role as an academic teacher and scientist.