Alfred Zawadowski, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, professor emeritus at our Department of Theoretical Physics, and former director of the Institute of Physics, died on Saturday, August 5, at the age of 82.

Alfred Zawadowski, “Fred”, was a unique, globally known, and highly respected figure of the Hungarian physics community. He established the research and teaching activities of modern condensed-matter physics within Hungary. He initiated new research directions, and inspired and educated multiple generations of physicists toward their scientific career. He transformed our Institute into an internationally renown centre of physics research and education, conveying exceptional theoretical and experimental results along the directions he initiated. His achievements were honoured from the government and the academy by several awards and prizes.

The demise of Fred Zawadowski is a tragic loss for the Hungarian physics community, especially our Institute. Colleagues, students and friends all mourn his death.