Ulbe Stellema 1970 - 2025

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Ulbe Stellema’s passing on Saturday, January 18. 

Who Was Ulbe?

Ulbe was an extraordinary developer, visionary, and colleague who left an indelible mark on the DataFlex community. When it became evident that Crystal Reports would no longer serve the needs of our community, Ulbe envisioned and spearheaded the development of our own reporting solution.

Since 2005, he has been the driving force behind what we now know as DataFlex Reports - a tool that has become a crucial part of the DataFlex ecosystem.

Despite battling a rare and progressively debilitating disease for many years, Ulbe’s dedication and passion never waned. He worked tirelessly on DataFlex Reports, even up to his final days, preparing the 2025 Beta release.

Carrying Forward His Legacy

Beginning of 2024, we dedicated additional resources to support DataFlex Reports, and added one more software engineer, who joined in December. With Ulbe’s passing, we are expediting plans to ensure his vision continues to flourish.

A Legacy Beyond the Code

From the outset of this journey 20 years ago, we understood the immense challenge of creating a full replacement for Crystal Reports. Yet, through his brilliance and determination, Ulbe delivered something far greater than we ever anticipated. His contributions at both the strategic and personal levels were immeasurable.

During his 28-year career at Data Access Europe, Ulbe was more than just a colleague - he was a dear friend and a cherished golf buddy.

As we move forward, we do so with gratitude for all that Ulbe gave to us and the DataFlex community. His work, vision, and friendship will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.