Department of Thermal Technology Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering

It is with regret that we inform you that Prof. Ryszard Wilk, a long-standing academic employee of the Silesian University of Technology, former dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, former vice-rector for didactics and honorary professor of the Silesian University of Technology, passed away on 26 September.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, October 1, at the Central Cemetery in Gliwice at approximately 12 noon; beginning at the cemetery chapel. Beforehand - at 11 a.m. - there will be a Mass in the St. Gerard Church on Wiejska Street. After the mass, please proceed on your own to the cemetery chapel.

Prof. R.K. Wilk was born on 4 March 1946 in Prudnik. He completed his studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering-Energy of the Silesian University of Technology in 1970. Immediately after graduation, he began working at the same Faculty in the Institute of Heat Engineering. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences in 1974 after three years of doctoral studies. He defended his habilitation thesis at the same Faculty in 1984 and was awarded the title of Professor in 2001.

Prof. Wilk has made an outstanding contribution to the development of science, especially to the disciplines of environmental engineering and energy. He promoted eight PhDs and about 60 diploma students. He was a member of the Thermodynamics and Combustion Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Energy Commission of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Polish Combustion Institute, the Clean Combustion Foundation and the Fuels and Energy Committee of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has reviewed 12 doctoral theses, 6 postdoctoral dissertations, 2 applications for scientific titles and articles for international scientific journals. He was the author of four monographs.

Prof. Wilk was active in the organisational field. In 1996, he was elected Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, a position he held for two terms. From 2002 to 2008, he served as Vice-Rector for Didactics at the Silesian University of Technology. At the same time, from 2000 to 2008, he was the Head of the Department of Combustion Technology and Combustion Engines at the Institute of Thermal Technology.

For his scientific achievements in the field of combustion and utilisation of fuels, for the training of scientific staff, in recognition of his significant contribution to the development and strengthening of the position of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy and the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. R.K. Wilk has been honoured with: the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Silesian University of Technology 60th Anniversary Medal, the Individual 2nd Degree Award of the Minister of Education, the Medal of the Commission of National Education, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Cross of Merit, the 2nd Degree Team Award for Scientific Research, the Badge of Merit for the Silesian University of Technology, and numerous Awards of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.

In the person of Ryszard Wilk, the community of the Chair of Thermal Engineering loses an outstanding scientist, an educator of scientific staff, an active organiser, but most of all an open, kind-hearted man and a colleague.

Farewell Ryszard, you will remain in our memory!