Florian, associate editor of the journal, has passed away. He had been ill for quite some time. We wish to remember him with a few words, though we are aware that on these occasions there is always a risk of superfluous, circumstantial speech.
Is it proper to spend a few words in his memory?
Of course it is. It is of vital importance. Not so much for the many readers of HPC Today, who have never met him in person. We do it for us, his colleagues and friends. Writing something about him is a way to reclaim the power of love and hope over the things in life that seem to deny them.
Florian had some beautiful aspects. He had its limits, as well, like anyone of us.
He loved learning, devoured books, had a terrific knowledge of anything, a sort of walking wikipedia that could run you through science, history, music, literature, comics, art... He knew it all, you just had to pop the question to trigger him off. His incredibly broad knowledge sometimes complicated the lives of his colleagues. For instance, if he overheard something from a ... ...