He was board member of the global language school association, IALC, whose members told The PIE News the language learning director would be sadly missed.

“Stefan taught us you can be professional with an unfaltering kindness”

ILA Montpellier will continue to be run by his fellow director Claudia Adenet.

In a statement, she said that his memory will be cherished at the school and his work ethic will inspire others.

“We are ever determined keep up our great work and care we show for our students with the same professionalism; Stefan’s spirit will live on.”

Adenet-Kaven, 54, was German, and his love of languages led him first to New Zealand, where he learnt English, and then on to the south of France which became his home.

He jointly set up the ILA school in 1998 and joined IALC in 2003, becoming secretary and treasurer of the board.

“In the course of his association with IALC, Stefan had been a real friend to all of us who had known him – and that was due to his generosity, kindness and  devotion to our association,” said William Barber, marketing director of IALC. “He will be greatly missed.”

President of IALC, Giorgia Biccelli, told The PIE News it was a “privilege” to have worked with him.

“Stefan has taught us that you can be professional and determined with an unfaltering kindness and taste for the good things in life,” she said.

“As friends we shall badly miss him, but we must think that we have been all very fortunate to have met such a fine gentleman.”