Lodovico |
The name of Lodovico Riva di Sanseverino will remain forever associated with the Ericean Schools of Crystallography and with his great skill and success as an organizer but It is important to recall that behind this there was a brilliant career as as crystallographer and as teacher.
Lodovico was born in Palermo on 1939 and in Palermo he spent most of his undergraduate and graduate study career. He Then moved to the University of Florence where, in 1962 he got the degree in Chemistry under the supervision of professor Sacconi, at that time one of the biggest names in the field. Immediately after the graduation in Chemistry he spent a few yeardoing a post doc crystallographic training first in the lab of Prof Caroline Mac Gillavry, at the of University of Amsterdam, and than at the University of Cambridge UK under the guidance of Prof Olga Kennard. He spent many periods over several years there and I remember Frank Allen, who was also in the Olga's group at that time telling that “when they saw Lodovico reappear, they immediately knew that spring was coming”!.
His academic career in Italy started as Assistant professor at the University of Bologna; after a short period spent at the University of Palermo, he went back to Bologna in 1975 as Full Professor in Mineralogy and Crystallography. His scientific work was mainly focused on correlate structure to properties, and at the same time, on deepen current methodologies. In the early seventies Lodovico was part of the first group of enthusiastic users of the Direct Methods in Italy. In Bologna over the years he trained many young researchers now working in several chemistry departments. In the late nineties, a serious glaucoma definitively damaged his eyes and teaching and organization became his main activities.
His love for these three word Crystallography, Teaching and Organization are in fact condensed in this “International School of Crystallography” that you are now experiencing and that he created in the early seventies, welcoming the suggestion of famous crystallographers like Michael Woolfson and Herb Hauptmann who had already the opportunity to recognize the abilities of Lodovico as organizer.
Looking back to the long series of courses he organized, from 1974 up to today, it is impressive to see the effort Lodovico put not only in trying to keep the quality of the science offered to students as high as possible, but also in improving the standard of the local facilities. Being very clear in his mind that “students” and the teachers can more easily learn and teach if they are happy, he put great care in planning the so called “social events”, and in creating a friendly and warm atmosphere among participants aimed to help younger students to interact easily with senior scientists.
The main pride of Lodovico was to be able to cite a long list of scientists who started their career as “students” in Erice and later became “big bosses” of well renowned crystallographic labs, thanks the links established in Erice. And he was also particularly proud of the fact that 15 Nobel Laureates were invited to contribute to the Courses before receiving their prestigious award. The success of the courses and the great work of Lodovico were officially recognized by the crystallographic community in 2005, when, during the banquet of the XX IUCr Congress in Florence, he was awarded by the Union a prize for his “Exceptional Service to Crystallography” and for his organization of the Erice schools.
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26th and last edition of the booklet "Citizen of world", containing songs from everywhere in the world collected by Lodovico in 36 years in Erice |
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One of his favourite songs |
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His recipes |
Dear All, It is with great sadness that I write as Director of the School of Crystallography at Erice to report the death of Lodovico Riva Di Sanseverino on 18 June 2010. Lodovico died in Trapani after working on the 2010 Course on Crystallography at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, Erice, Italy. We left him in good spirits and looking forward to courses for the next seven years. As you know Lodovico has been the driving force of the School since 1974. The courses are known for the excellence of their speakers, the liveliness of the participants, the splendour of Erice and for the personality of Lodovico. At the Erice Courses Lodovico's organisational skills and hard work always made the meetings a success. But his secret was his enthusiasm, the individual attention he paid to all participants and his humour. We all remember his inimitable style as he encouraged us to switch on the microphone, give our name and speak more clearly! We remember his translations of the local songs as we were entertained in san Francisco or san Rocco. And of course we remember his songbook and his ability to sing in so many languages, bringing in participants from all over the world to the Marsala Room. We will miss him a lot. As you know, Lodovico was a distinguished scholar of Mineralogy and Crystallography and Professor at the University of Bologna, and had made many contributions to crystallography over the years. Lodovico leaves a wife, Fiorbellina, and a family, and our thoughts are with them in this difficult time. Paola, Annalisa, John and I will do what we can to continue the courses and we have a schedule till 2017. They will be a fine memorial to Lodovico. Tom Blundell I am very sad to hear of the death of Lodovico last night. He was a great man, and we were all fortunate to have known him. I miss him already. John I am very sad and shocked to hear the bad news. I guess we all realized that he was not in a good condition at the end of the meeting, but I remember very well seeing him smiling when we were all in the bus leaving for the airport and saying good bye. I am sure he is happy that also in 2010 the Course on Crystallography was a great success! It seems to me that Lodovico spent all his energy on the meeting he loved so much. It was pretty obvious that the Erice course was a very important part of his life he was proud of and dedicated to. Actually I'm very fortunate that I was part of an Erice course with Lodovico and that I had the pleasure to experience his character and enthusiasm. He is someone I will always remember with a smile on my face. Sabine Che brutta notizia mi hai dato. Gli avevo parlato appena due settimane fa. E' l'ultimo ricordo che conserverò di una persona estremamente affabile. Come mi dispiace... Corrado Venturini Cari Soci, è con profondo dispiacere che abbiamo appreso la notizia della scomparsa improvvisa del Prof. Lodovico Riva di Sanseverino, avvenuta la notte scorsa nell'ospedale di Trapani alla ancora giovane età di 70 anni. Lodovico era uno stimato professore di Mineralogia all'Università di Bologna, ma la comunità cristallografica italiana lo ricorda soprattutto per il suo impagabile impegno per l'organizzazione delle scuole cristallografiche di Erice, considerate un vanto in tutta la IUCr. L'ultima scuola di Erice da lui coordinata, sul tema "Structure and Function from Macromolecular Crystallography: Organisation in Space and Time", era appena finita domenica scorsa ed era stata il grande successo di sempre, in particolare avendo avuto ben tre premi Nobel tra docenti. Ludovico, però non era rientrato a Bologna, in quanto profondo conoscitore dell'organizzazione locale, aveva deciso di rimanere in loco cooadiuvare anche la scuola succesiva diretta dal Professor Tsoucaris e pure relazionata alla cristallografia sui temi dell'arte (Non-Invasive Analysis of Painting Materials). Tutti noi abbiamo avuto modo di conoscere Lodovico personalmente e di apprezzare, oltre alle sue capacità scientifiche, le sue grandi doti umane, che sono quelle che lo hanno reso famoso in tutto il mondo, anche attraverso le migliaia di scienziati, ricercatori e studenti che sono stati ad Erice nel corso di 36 anni di attività, a cominciare dal quel lontano Marzo del 1974. Con commozione, esprimiamo ai familiari, ai colleghi e agli amici il sincero cordoglio di tutta la nostra comunità scientifica. Il presidente ed il Consiglio di presidenza dell'Associazione Italiana di Cristallografi Dear all, I went on a few more days of vacation in Sicily and did not get back to Denmark until last night (I guess Ingrid is still on the way back). I was obviously stunned to hear this sad news. It was only a few days in Erice, but Lodovico is probably the most delightful person I've ever met. I have attached the only photo we took with Lodovico on the last day. Thank you Annalisa for taking this wonderful picture for us. It is the most precious preservation of this fond memory. Please can you forward it to Fabio for me? I could not find his email on the contact list. The date of the picture ought to be June 13th. I apologize for setting the date on my camera wrong by one day before the trip. I hope one day we'll all meet again in Erice. Best regards, Yangzi Al Direttore del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Gelogico-Ambientali Caro Direttore, è con profondissimo dolore e commozione che ho appreso della scomparsa di Lodovico. Abbiamo vissuto insieme varie Scuole ad Erice e siamo stati legati da reciproca stima. Lodovico, la fortuna di conoscerlo. Lodovico, persona davvero indimenticabile che lascia un vuoto incolmabile ma un segno incancellabile. Ti prego di estendere queste mie condoglianze a tutto il Dipartimento ed alla famiglia di Lodovico. Lucio Loreto, già Prof. presso Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra Università di Roma La Sapienza. E' con sentito cordoglio che comunico l'improvvisa scomparsa del Prof. Lodovico Riva di Sanseverino, professore ordinario di Mineralogia di questa Facoltà e del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra. Lorenzo Donatiello I am very sad to hear this news. Lodovico will be much missed by many people - he was always very helpful and prompt in his replies to my messages in connection with the Erice schools, which were obviously very close to his heart. Would it be OK to include the obituary you have written in the Crystallographers section of Journal of Applied Crystallography ? If so, could you send me the original (Word ?) file and photograph ? I look forward to receiving your reply. Best wishes Mike Dacombe. Thank you for informing us about the sad news about the death of Ludovico Riva di Severino. It is strange that during the visit of Ada Yonath yesterday in Copenhagen, we discussed her upcoming participation in an Erice school, and at this occassion praised all the dedicated work of Ludovico. Ludovico's death is a great loss to Italian crystallography and to the international crystallographic community. Hopefully all his work and efforts will have yielded heirs that can can ensure that Ludovico's devotion to training in crystallography may continue in his spirit. With the best wishes Sine Larsen La notizia dell'improvvisa morte di Lodovico mi ha colpito profondamente. La lunga amicizia (ci eravamo conosciuti da studenti), i tanti incontri in Italia e all'estero in occasione di congressi scientifici, i corsi 1985 e 2001 della Scuola di Cristallografia con la loro complessa e difficile preparazione, i numerosi incontri organizzativi a Bologna, Erice, Roma, e Marina San Nicola, ed anche una sia pur breve collaborazione scientifica, fanno riafforare dal profondo della memoria tantissimi ricordi. E' come ripercorrere tutta la vita. Proprio questa mattina ho trovato nella cassetta delle lettere, qui all'Aquila, l'ultima sua lettera, con i manifesti colorati dei due corsi della Scuola di Cristallografia che si terranno a Erice il prossimo anno. Immagino che per te sia stata un'esperienza terribile, vista la lunga conoscenza e l'ininterrotta collaborazione per la gestione della Scuola di Erice, e in questo momento ti sono vicino. Vorrei mandare un messaggio alla vedova, che ho conosciuto a Bologna molti anni fa, di cui però non riesco a ricordare il nome (immagino che l'indirizzo sia sempre quello di via del Luzzo, vicino alle Due Torri). Ti saluto con tanto affetto, Aldo Domenicano I met Lodovico for the first time in 1975 in a hotel in Paris. Dorothy had asked me to act as director of the 1976 “school” for protein crystallography in Erice. To do so Lodovico and I had to become acquainted. We therefore arranged to meet in Paris (where I was attending another meeting) about a year in advance of the planned school in Erice. I was much impressed by Lodovico as a humble and kind person, anxious to proof that Italy (and in particular his native Sicily) was an efficient venue for scientific events. Among all the plans we made during our Paris meeting was one item that worried me. Lodovico wanted to hand out certificates at the meeting. Later I was to discover that these certificates were for the many Sicilian friends of Lodovico who helped to make this first (and later many more) “school” such an enduring success. I discussed with my wife, Audrey, how to create suitable certificates. As a result she made about one hundred little silk-screened table mats embellished with many of the recent structures. Occasionally I meet somebody who still has one of these mats who testifies to the impact that Lodovico and the 1976 meeting had on him or her. There is no doubt that Lodovico’s influence, through his personality, love of music and Sicily, interest in science and concern for individuals, has had an enormous influence in molding the past and present rapidly expanding community of structural biologists. Many life-long friendships based on common scientific interests started or were deepened in Erice, made possible by the happy environment created by Lodovico in Erice. Where else is a meeting supported by friendly and happy orange scarfed helpers (including Paola ever since 1976) ? Where else do the nights ring with songs led by Lodovico? Where else do you pay for your meals by signing a paper? Where else are the participants from every corner of the Earth? We have lost a very exceptional friend. Erice will surely remain an important stop on the itinerary of structural biologists, but, without Lodovico, it will be a new and different era. Professor Michael Rossmann Purdue University, USA. His dedication to the School will remain unforgotten and his sense of humor will be greatly missed. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Baumeister Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry I am extremely sad to know the news about Lodovico. I feel very honoured to have met him and spent time with him, especially during this last meeting. Taianá Maia de Oliveira, MSc The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre It is almost unbeleivable! But life has this discontinuities. I am just very happy for having been able to contribute and helping him realizing one of his most cherished schools. The recollection of good memories like of these last days in Erice are populating my memories and Lodovico is certainly one of these friends that has strongly marked us all. Professor Maria Arménia Carrondo ITQB Universidade nova de Lisboa May I add my sincere condolences to those of others on the sad news of Lodovico's passing. Those of us who saw him at the recent school recognised some frailty but with all the qualities of caring, enthusiasm, and organisation still intact. It was a great shock. My recollections of him from Erice 2010, are first just after I arrived sitting with him in San Rocco courtyard while he told me the history of my room SF26 in San Francesco, with details going back to the 70s. And my last recollection is when we were departing of Lodovico pad and pen in hand making sure that we all got on the right bus. I was in email contact with Lodovico as recently as the 15 June - about getting the Dorothy Hodgkin plate cleaned up. He will be sadly missed. It is good to know that Paola, Annalisa, John and yourself will be continuing the Erice tradition Dame Louise Johnson Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford. I am vary sorry to hear these sad news especially as most of us just met Lodovico in Erice. I met Lodovico for the first time 25 years ago at an ECM meeting and I remember that his love for songs helped a lot in bringing together scientist from the East and West. As all of I shall deeply miss Lodovico us I shall miss Lodovico and express condolences to his family. Dr. Dmitri Svergun, EMBL Hamburg I am shocked by this sad news. I had only known Lodovico since a couple of weeks ago, yet I got close to him even in such a short period of time. I can only try to imagine how you both must feel right now, having known him for so many years. Please extend my condolences to Lodovico's family and friends. Dr. Alessio Ciulli, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge. I am so sad to learn of Lodovico's passing. He was a wonderful man who shared so much of his heart with so many people. I am glad to have been able to know him. With sincere condolences Professor Eddy Arnold Chemistry and Chemical Biology Rutgers, USA Lodovico's passing. I am shocked. Only 12 days ago, in Erice, he gave me a real strong hug and as always he told a good joke! Tom, you captured the real Lodovico, and I join your sorrow. Professor Ada Yonath, Nobel Laureate Structural Biology Department Weizmann Institute I join with you and the world in sorrow over Lodovico’s passing. Your tribute to him captures Lodovico most marvelously. I regret not seeing him at this last meeting, but I rejoice in having known him at many previous Erice retreats. Dr. Wayne Hendrickson Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University This is sad news indeed. Lodovico will be missed by all. Professor Bill Weis, Stanford University This is very sad indeed. I am so happy I could meet him once again last week. Many thanks for your mail that reminds all of us to make the best use of our time here. Professor Patrick Cramer Gene Center Munich Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München What a shock, and how very sad, coming as this news does after such an enjoyable meeting. Thank you for letting us know. Professor John Kuriyan University of California, Dept of Molecular and Cell Biology Thank you for the msg - really very sad news. You've really captured the spirit of Lodovico wonderfully in what you've written. The Erice Schools have been an extraordinary series and a lot is due to Lodovico (and TOM(!)) Prof. Joel L. Sussman Dept. of Structural Biology Weizmann Institute of Science This is very sad news. I was planning to write you and Lodovico to thank you for organizing such a great course. Dieter and I had a wonderful time and we were very happy to see Lodovico in good form. The warm personal atmosphere of the Erice courses makes them really special, created by all of you, with Lodovico. Professor Helen Sabil Department of Crystallography, Birkbeck College London Thank you very much for such fine words! I feel extremely privileged to have met Lodovico! His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him. May his soul rest in peace. Dr. Dima Chirgadze Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. I am deeply in shock!! He was so energetic during our international dinner together. Tom, please also update me once you know his wife’s address. Ms Qian Wu – Ph.D. Student Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. I was very sad to learn today that Lodovico passed away a few days ago. In his recent emails he seemed just as full of energy and enthusiasm as ever. It was a terrible loss of a marvellous human being. If you have a chance, I hope you will be able to tell his family of the tremendous affection that he inspired in the international crystallographic community. Best wishes, Randy Randy J. Read Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge Cambridge Institute for Medical Research I was deeply saddened to hear the news that Lodovico passed away last week. It is hard to imagine him gone, he seemed so vital. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to meet with him so recently. My thoughts go back to my very first Erice conference in 1989, Lodovico was simply inspirational to me as a young science student. Please pass on my condolences to Lodovico's family and let them know that he was much loved by all in the crystallographic community. His spirit will live on in the Erice conferences to follow. If there is to be a memorial or a tribute in some form, would you please let me know. With great sorrow, Jenny Martin University of Queensland Australia ho saputo oggi la terribile notizia. E' una grande perdita, una persona straordinaria che ha dato tantissimo anche a persone come me, che hanno avuto l'occasione di incontrarlo per brevi momenti. Tutti i componenti del gruppo di cristallografia si uniscono a me nel salutare Lodovico, che negli anni ha fatto tanto, soprattutto per i giovani. Un abbraccio ed un mio particolare ricordo di Lodovico, a cui devo moltissimo. Beatrice Prof. Beatrice Vallone Ho appreso da Annalisa la triste notizia della scomparsa di Lodovico. Mi sembra ancora impossibile credere a quello che é successo. É stata una bellissima scuola quest'anno e mi sento cosí privilegiata e felice di poter essere stata tra voi. Sono certa che le scuole future eguaglieranno quelle passate: siete un team fantastico e trionferete in questa grande sfida, con un bel sorriso, tanta grinta e tanto successo, cosí come avrebbe voluto Lodovico. Un abbraccio. Con affetto, Francesca Fabbiani I have just read this immensly sad news, and am left speachless... with all wonderful recollections of my so very fortunate encounters with him, and all the ways he so beautifly infuenced my life. I cannot stop crying... My deepest condolences to you, to his wife, family and so many people that will miss him. With love, Ciao, Andrzej Prof. Andrzej Katrusiak Thank you for sending me prints of the photographs. It was very kind of you. I was shocked to hear about Lodovico, especially since I just saw him a couple of weeks ago. It is truly the end of an era, and very sad. Best wishes Venki Ramakrishnan Dear Friends and Colleagues speakers at the Meeting in september I am sure you will all agree with me: the fifth Bologna 's convention on crystal forms will be a great opportunity to drink a glass of wine (and perhaps even sing an Erice song) to the memory of Lodovico Riva di Sanseverino. For those of you who did not have a chance to meet him I can only say "he was a yiest for good science" - much of what we will discuss in Bologna will have some direct or indirect connection with the San Domenico lecture hall (or with the Marsala room) at the Ettore Majorana Centre in Erice. Dario Professor Dario Braga Ciamician Department, Via F. Selmi 2 40126 Bologna, Italy I learned this weekend about Lodovico's passing. I believe you were close to him, and certainly I met you first at one of the Erice meetings, which you had helped him organize. He was certainly a force of nature, and I'm glad I spent a little time in his orbit. I suppose I learned a few things from him about organizing courses, and I suspect that RapiData benefitted from that. I never could manage the cask of Marsala wine every evening, however. The Erice meetings won't be the same. Warm regards to you, Bob Robert M. Sweet I have just heard about Lodovico. The CCDC will write a longer message this afternoon, but I am so sorry to hear this news. We were friends since 1970-71 when we first met in Cambridge . Please can you offer my sincere condolences to Fiorbellina and his family. I have so many fond memories of Lodovico, so many. He will be remembered for a very long time by those who knew him. My love to all, including yourself. Frank Dr Frank H. Allen Emeritus Research Fellow ti abbraccio forte nel ricordo di Lodovico, infaticabile, entusiasta, impareggiabile anima delle scuole di Erice, Paola Prof. Paola Paoli ti porgo le mie più sentite condoglianze per la perdita di Lodovico. Era un bravissimo professore e un uomo eccezionale, ci mancherà tantissimo. Ti abbraccio Patrizia Dott.ssa Patrizia Rossi I read your e-mail this morning and needed a while to answer to this sad and shocking news. With Ludovico we lost a scientist, a teacher, a friend. One who always gave his full strength and heart to the students not looking one second to his own needs. We will all miss him deeply and Erice will not be the same anymore without him. I am deeply sorry Ute Dr. Ute Kolb I have just picked up my email after a weekend off, and have seen the very bad news about Lodovico. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, and indeed was very much looking forward to seeing him in Erice. I'm sorry that I'll not now be able to meet him... Yours, Kenneth Shankland I am deeply shocked to hear of the sudden death of Lodovico. Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences at this most challenging time. My thoughts is with you and Lodovico family at this most difficult time of loss. Yours Sincerely Katarzyna Koclega I was truly shocked and saddened to hear of Prof. Riva di Sanseverino's sudden death in Erice last weekend. I shall greatly miss the friendly contacts I had with him over the years. He came across as a very warm and appreciative person, and was always very keen to satisfy our many rules and regulations in the course of carrying out his ASI obligations. This sad event brings back memories of Dr. Gabriele's untimely death in Erice 11 yrs ago - another person who showed great dedication and compassion in his work. I really do appreciate that you've sent me this news, even if it is so sad. With warm wishes, Alison Alison Trapp I cannot tell you how sad and shocked I am to learn that Lodovico has died. As you know, he is leaving a big hole in so many people's heart and life. My heart goes to his family and to you, his precious friend and collaborator, in this very difficult time. Lodovico has had and will always have a very special place in my heart. I have so many wonderful memories that have and will continue to brigthen my life but right now they are overshadowed by very deep sadness. Keep in touch dear friend. Con molto affetto, Suzanne Fortier Ho saputo dalla stampa che il "Professore" ci ha lasciato. Anche se mi risulta difficile, non ho altro mezzo per ricordare un antico rapporto di lavoro che, con cadenza regolare, coinvolgeva il Servizio per i beni archeologici della Soprintendenza di Trapani nella programmazione dei corsi dell'International School of Crystallography, EMFCSC di Erice, così frequentati e partecipati. Porgo le mie personali più sentite condoglianze, anche a nome dell'Istituzione che rappresento, ai familiari, ai colleghi e ai collaboratori, ricordando la positiva e incredibile vitalità che Lodovico sapeva trasmettere intorno a sé; certamente i nostri siti archeologici della provincia di Trapani hanno goduto di una ottima promozione attraverso l'energia spesa da Lodovico in questi anni. Rossella Giglio Cerniglia Dirigente Servizio per i beni archeologici Soprintendenza per i beni culturali e ambientali via Garibaldi, 90 - 91100 TRAPANI ho saputo solo in questi giorni della scomparsa di Lodovico. Ne ho veramente un bel ricordo legato alla scuola di Erice dell'anno scorso. Vorrei esprimere alla famiglia le mie condoglianze. un caro saluto Sabrina Sabrina Nazzareni, (PhD) Department of Earth Sciences, University of Perugia Piazza Università I-06100, Perugia Italy E' triste pensare che Lodovico non organizzera' piu' le scuole di Erice! Vorrei esprimere a te, a tutti i colleghi di Bologna e alla famiglia le mie più sentite condoglianze per la improvvisa scomparsa di un collega stimato e benvoluto da tutta la nostra comunità. Ti prego di farti tramite presso la famiglia del mio cordoglio. Adriana Prof. Adriana Maras Direttore Museo di Mineralogia Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra Università di Roma "La Sapienza" We are writing to say how saddened we are to learn that our very good friend, Professor Lodovico Riva Di Sanseverino has passed away. Lodovico was a friend to every human being, very well known to all Polish crystallographers and chemists. He will be rememebered as a tireless ambassador, promoting crystallography and friendship in the world. He will be especially remembered as an ardent promoter of singing as a way of bringing people together. His repertoire of songs from nearly every nation and the memory of his musical activities will be a legacy remembered for ever. For many years, he served as a bridge between various crystallographic communities, organizing countless scientific meetings in Erice and helping young participants with less well—off background. He stimulated many informal meetings with participants from different countries in order to teach them how to communicate, despite the existing natural and artificial barriers. He was a true executor of the noble ideas that aspire to unite all nations. His charming presence was always very warmly welcome in a number ofl meetings in Poland, including those in Poznan and the nearby Rydzyna. The death of Lodovico Riva di Sanseverino is a painfully felt loss for the international crystallographic community, and for the crystallographers from Poznan in particular. We want to express our heartfelt condolences to the members of Lodovico‘s family, to support them in this difficult time. Dept. of Chemistry Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, Poland This is a message I wanted to send to you a long time ago – right after Lodovico passed away. But I never did get to it in spite of the many times I thought about him – and you. And now I look at the nice website in honor of Lodovico, I like to apologize even more that I did not react sooner. This is an attempt to make up for that shortcoming a little bit. He passed away on the 18th of June 2010 – already so long ago. And still my memories of him are still so fresh, and so deep, and so positive. It was in 1982 that I met Lodovico for the first time in Erice – I was incredibly impressed by his energy and in particular by his talent to create an atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm for all participants – and all that was fantastic for me ass a young scientist, in spite of the fact that something went amiss during my registration and I had to share a room with nine Chinese participants… The singing was great, the setting superb, the views fabulous, the restaurants rustic, the science fantastic, the sight-seeing trips – Selinunte, the Phoenician settlement, and more – just incredible, a perfect way to make many international friends. But the chairs in the lecture room were horrible. Over time, however, all that became better. I believe that I was in total six times at Erice and how could I in 1982 ever dream that I would be the Director of the 1988 course. This was one of the most fabulous times in my life. The organization was a delight due to Lodovico's fantastic help in fund raising and taking care of all the organizational details – except the program book, which was printed in Groningen and my group members then carried these in their backpacks to the Erice mountain - they still tease me sometimes about that. You were there also if I am not mistaken and helping out in many ways – most of which I was not even aware of. When in one of the events near the end of the 1988 meeting, Lodovico handed me the traditional plaque with the signatures of all the participants I was very moved. The plaque has been in my study ever since. The flight back from the beautiful Sicilian island was deeply moving and the incredible impressions looking back on it from the plane has stuck forever in my memory. ! And so has Lodivico's kind and friendly personality. I really and sincerely regret that I do send you this message so late. I hope nevertheless that the above does you still some good. I thank you for all the help in organizing the many great Erice events, and I wish you all the best in your own life after such a great person you cooperated with for so long has passed away. With my best and warm regards Wim |
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