led him to find pathways to fundamental problems like symmetry violations in
nature, limitation aspects of information theory and to voice the challenges of the
density matrix N-representability conundrum.
With his double competence in chemistry and physics, including considerable
interests in mathematics, philosophy, and the humanities, Osvaldo Goscinski was
particularly well suited to lead a cross-scientific institute like the department of
quantum chemistry. As an avid and devoted spokesman for his field he “let thousand flowers bloom,” as exemplified by the numerous multifaceted research projects that flourished under the parasol of quantum chemistry, from the chemistry of
free radicals, surface science, dissipative systems, information theory, complex
antimatter, and quantum computers. He also fought successfully for an additional
professorship in applied quantum chemistry at the department. He was a very
inspiring teacher, he enjoyed lecturing, and he was heavily engaged in research
education as established during his term as associate dean of the Faculty of Science
and Technology.
For most of us, working with him as a teacher and scientist, the acquaintance and
association with Osvaldo led to important consequences in more than one way. He
represented the gateway to science. His playfulness and creativity inspired original
questions and nontrivial scientific contributions. Finally, when we tried to stand on
our own legs, it turned out that he did not always buy our new ideas. Not until later
did we understand that critique prompts carefulness and persistence, a necessity for
the mental process to continue and never halt.
For us as young doctoral students, pursuing our studies in the late 1960s and
beginning of the 1970s, it was a priceless privilege to share the brilliant creativity,
flow of ideas, humor, and inventiveness, which always emerged around Osvaldo at
seminars, discussions, and coffee breaks. The happy, spirited, and playful joker
from Jorge Luis Borges Argentina did spoil us with adventurous anecdotes and
puns, combined with refined and subtle argumentation—all from the renaissance
reclaim of the classical antiquity to Edda-inspired Old-Norse mythology to Planck,
Einstein, Bohr, and Popper.
For us who worked closely with Osvaldo during many years since the 1960s and
1970s, it is impossible to express in a few words what he meant to us. He was
always there with his understanding, his personal engagement, his knowledge, not
only in delicate scientific interpretations but also in private and difficult problems of
a more personal and confidential kind. His amazing courage, not to give in, despite
an exceptionally long and severe illness has more than overwhelmed us. This
courage combined with his wife Gunilla’s strength to organize and arrange so that
Osvaldo with the same sincerity as before, could participate in every gathering and
invitation that concerned the department, science and the arts, but also in private
parties and celebrations has manifested respect and admiration.
xviii
Obituary
nature, limitation aspects of information theory and to voice the challenges of the
density matrix N-representability conundrum.
With his double competence in chemistry and physics, including considerable
interests in mathematics, philosophy, and the humanities, Osvaldo Goscinski was
particularly well suited to lead a cross-scientific institute like the department of
quantum chemistry. As an avid and devoted spokesman for his field he “let thousand flowers bloom,” as exemplified by the numerous multifaceted research projects that flourished under the parasol of quantum chemistry, from the chemistry of
free radicals, surface science, dissipative systems, information theory, complex
antimatter, and quantum computers. He also fought successfully for an additional
professorship in applied quantum chemistry at the department. He was a very
inspiring teacher, he enjoyed lecturing, and he was heavily engaged in research
education as established during his term as associate dean of the Faculty of Science
and Technology.
For most of us, working with him as a teacher and scientist, the acquaintance and
association with Osvaldo led to important consequences in more than one way. He
represented the gateway to science. His playfulness and creativity inspired original
questions and nontrivial scientific contributions. Finally, when we tried to stand on
our own legs, it turned out that he did not always buy our new ideas. Not until later
did we understand that critique prompts carefulness and persistence, a necessity for
the mental process to continue and never halt.
For us as young doctoral students, pursuing our studies in the late 1960s and
beginning of the 1970s, it was a priceless privilege to share the brilliant creativity,
flow of ideas, humor, and inventiveness, which always emerged around Osvaldo at
seminars, discussions, and coffee breaks. The happy, spirited, and playful joker
from Jorge Luis Borges Argentina did spoil us with adventurous anecdotes and
puns, combined with refined and subtle argumentation—all from the renaissance
reclaim of the classical antiquity to Edda-inspired Old-Norse mythology to Planck,
Einstein, Bohr, and Popper.
For us who worked closely with Osvaldo during many years since the 1960s and
1970s, it is impossible to express in a few words what he meant to us. He was
always there with his understanding, his personal engagement, his knowledge, not
only in delicate scientific interpretations but also in private and difficult problems of
a more personal and confidential kind. His amazing courage, not to give in, despite
an exceptionally long and severe illness has more than overwhelmed us. This
courage combined with his wife Gunilla’s strength to organize and arrange so that
Osvaldo with the same sincerity as before, could participate in every gathering and
invitation that concerned the department, science and the arts, but also in private
parties and celebrations has manifested respect and admiration.
xviii
Obituary