Professor Józef Szarawara passed away
It is with deep regret that we inform that on the 8th of July 2022, at the age of 98, prof. Józef Szarawara passed away.
Professor Józef Szarawara graduated with a master's degree in 1950 at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology, with which he associated his entire professional life. He continued to gain further academic degrees and titles at this faculty.
He was the author of many books, publications, and papers of international and national scope. His research topics focused on the theoretical foundations of chemical technology, chemical reactor theory, chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, inorganic technology.
The books written by Prof. J. Szarawara - Chemical Thermodynamics, Fundamentals of Chemical Reactor Engineering, Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Technology - are still highly regarded literature items at many chemistry faculties in Poland.
Professor Szarawara cooperated with many scientific centres in Poland, both universities (Szczecin University of Technology, Cracow University of Technology) and branch institutes (Institute of Fertilisers in Puławy, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry in Gliwice). For many years he was a member of the Scientific Research Committee, as well as the Central Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles. He was, for many years, head of the Division of Inorganic Technology at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology.
Professor Józef Szarawara was repeatedly honoured with the highest state awards. He was the first Honorary Professor of the Silesian University of Technology, as well as a Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Technology in Szczecin.
He was active in many professional associations, in particular the Association of Engineers and Technicians of the Chemical Industry in Gliwice. With the association, practically until his last days, he organised the lecture series ‘Paths of Human Thinking’, which was very popular.
The professor was an educator of many generations of young chemists and technologists, some of whom continued their careers in science.
Privately, he was intensively involved in summer and winter mountain tourism: in the summer in hiking in the Tatra Mountains and the entire Beskid Mountains, in the winter in downhill skiing. In addition, he practised sailing on the Great Masurian Lakes (he was a yacht helmsman) and took part in canoeing trips on Polish rivers.
Professor Józef Szarawara was an extremely righteous man, always finding time to listen to the opinions of others. He will remain in our memory as a man who was kind to his colleagues and extremely hard-working, with great teaching talent and a deep commitment to the academic community.
Mass for the intention of Professor will be celebrated on July 15, 2022 (Friday) at 12 PM in the Church of the Assumption of the NJP in Gliwice, 50 Kozielska St. After the mass, the funeral will take place at the Central Cemetery.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
