We regret to inform that on November 5, 2024, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Stefan Postrzednik, a long-time employee of the Institute of Thermal Technology (currently the Department of Thermal Technology) has passed away.

Stefan Postrzednik was born in 1946 in Kisielów (Cieszyn district). He graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering in 1969 in the specialty of nuclear energy. Since that year he has been an intern at the Department of Thermal Technology Foundations and a participant of doctoral studies, completed with a doctorate in 1973. After obtaining the doctoral degree, he became an assistant professor at the Institute of Thermal Technology. In addition, he completed a one-year internship at TU Clausthal in Germany.

His habilitation dissertation (in 1981) on the process of degassing of solid fuels was awarded the prize of the Fourth Department of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In the years 1987-1994 he was the head of the Department of Combustion Engines of the Institute of Thermal Technology. In 1994 he received the title of professor. He published a total of over 260 scientific papers in Polish, English and German, including 4 textbooks such as “Thermodynamics of Flow phenomena” and “Thermodynamic and ecological conditions of combustion engines operation”, representing his main research areas. He promoted four doctors, including current professors of the Silesian University of Technology. He was also a member of the Energy Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Katowice, a member of the sections in three committees of the Polish Academy of Sciences and other scientific societies. He was awarded three MNiSW awards and the Silver and Gold Cross of Merit (1998, 2006).

His passion was music. He was, among others, a member of the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology, he also sat behind the keyboard of his parish organs.

Professor Postrzednik was characterized by extensive knowledge, he was a thorough reviewer, at meetings he often asked seemingly simple questions that hit the heart of the matter. He devoted more than 50 years of his life to work that was his passion and the Silesian University of Technology, which was his second home. We will remember the Professor well and warmly, taking advantage of his rich scientific achievements.

The funeral of the professor will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in the church of St. Matthias the Apostle in Zabrze Maciejów at 12:00.

To the family and loved ones of the deceased, we express our deepest sympathy.

Academic community of the Silesian University of Technology.