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It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Prof. Luis Masperi on December 2, 2003 in Bariloche, Argentina. As a former member of the Pugwash Council, he constantly spoke up in favor of the importance of science in less developed countries, the crucial role of scientists to enhance the dialogue between peoples, the urgent need of total nuclear disarmament as a necessary prerequisite to global peace and, above all, the defense of basic human rights. One of his major achievements was his decisive participation in the settlement of the Argentine-Brazilian agreement which banned non-peaceful uses of nuclear energy in both countries. As a physicist, he was internationally recognized as well as a friend and mentor to many students in the field of High Energy Physics. He held the position of director of the Latin American Center of Physics when he passed away, using it to play an important role in the development of physics in the region, emphasizing the collaboration between nations. He was one of the promoters of the international Auger Project in Argentina for detecting extremely high energy cosmic rays, a former director of the Instituto Balseiro, and former president of the Argentine Physical Association. He was also involved in local politics, being one of the founders of the Bariloche local chapter of the national Human Rights Forum as well as the Argentine Pugwash branch and elected delegate in the debates that led to the establishment of the Municipal Charter of the town of Bariloche, where he lived. We hope his energy, courage and wisdom, as well as his great humanity, will perpetuate and inspire those who follow him. Karen
Hallberg |