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2015)
Applied Radiation and Isotopes 109 (2016) 1
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Applied Radiation and Isotopes journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/apradiso
In Memoriam: Seppo Klemola (31/3/1958–11/3/2015)
Seppo Klemola, our colleague of many years’ standing, passed away on 11th of March, 2015, after an acute, major illness. Along Seppo, the personnel of his department (Environmental Radiation Surveillance) and the whole organization (STUK—Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) lost one of their pillars of competence as well as many fellow workers their dear and close friend. Seppo was among one of the leading experts on gamma-ray spectrometry. At STUK, gamma-ray spectrometry has been and will be one of the most central methods to acquire data on radiation and environmental radioactive substances. Seppo loved gamma-ray spectrometry and his contribution to STUK in this field is of truly high value. Seppo became an employee of STUK in 1984 and during these past 30 years he measured and analyzed tens of thousands of spectra with an uncompromising integrity. He considered all kinds of possible phenomena of nuclear physics when developing gamma-ray spectrometry for the practical needs of STUK. Due to his remarkable expertise, Seppo was invited to several international work groups and projects to make sure the gammaspectrometric development work would not go off course. At laboratory, Seppo was absolutely strict about the quality, which is
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.01.019 0969-8043/
why we can mainly thank Seppo for the world's top quality gamma laboratories we have at STUK. There is certain profundity in Seppo's character that is well described by his words about a week before his death. He went to the hospital for the first time in his life and without knowing the severity of his illness. He said: “This is first time I am at a hospital and I have to say that it is very interesting to follow the work of the staff here.” As a person and an employee, Seppo did not want to be in the limelight or to be put on a pedestal. He wanted to be characterized by his work. Over the years, it was typical of Seppo to see him always very enthusiastic and full of joy when some earlier unknown radionuclide was determined from a sample he had analyzed. There is a huge painting in the first floor lobby of STUK, called the “Big Bang Revolution Parade”, where the radionuclides analyzed at STUK are presented artistically. The painting is like a memorial to Seppo. Most of the nuclides in the painting have been found by him. During the department's coffee breaks Seppo was an unfailing source of information when it came to questions dealing with space and astronomy. Astronomy was one of Seppo's dearest hobbies, together with outdoor activities, such as skiing, biking and hiking. Seppo was a warm and obliging co-worker and at the same time a true expert that concentrated to his work with great gravity. Seppo left us a valuable legacy, besides in his analysis results, also in his approach how to acquire and achieve knowledge – neither shortcuts nor any trickery is allowed. When Seppo passed away, we lost a colleague and a good friend. We all who knew Seppo will remember him with warm affection. Roy Pöllänen on behalf of the ICRM Executive Board
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Applied Radiation and Isotopes journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/apradiso
In Memoriam: Seppo Klemola (31/3/1958–11/3/2015)
Seppo Klemola, our colleague of many years’ standing, passed away on 11th of March, 2015, after an acute, major illness. Along Seppo, the personnel of his department (Environmental Radiation Surveillance) and the whole organization (STUK—Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) lost one of their pillars of competence as well as many fellow workers their dear and close friend. Seppo was among one of the leading experts on gamma-ray spectrometry. At STUK, gamma-ray spectrometry has been and will be one of the most central methods to acquire data on radiation and environmental radioactive substances. Seppo loved gamma-ray spectrometry and his contribution to STUK in this field is of truly high value. Seppo became an employee of STUK in 1984 and during these past 30 years he measured and analyzed tens of thousands of spectra with an uncompromising integrity. He considered all kinds of possible phenomena of nuclear physics when developing gamma-ray spectrometry for the practical needs of STUK. Due to his remarkable expertise, Seppo was invited to several international work groups and projects to make sure the gammaspectrometric development work would not go off course. At laboratory, Seppo was absolutely strict about the quality, which is
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.01.019 0969-8043/
why we can mainly thank Seppo for the world's top quality gamma laboratories we have at STUK. There is certain profundity in Seppo's character that is well described by his words about a week before his death. He went to the hospital for the first time in his life and without knowing the severity of his illness. He said: “This is first time I am at a hospital and I have to say that it is very interesting to follow the work of the staff here.” As a person and an employee, Seppo did not want to be in the limelight or to be put on a pedestal. He wanted to be characterized by his work. Over the years, it was typical of Seppo to see him always very enthusiastic and full of joy when some earlier unknown radionuclide was determined from a sample he had analyzed. There is a huge painting in the first floor lobby of STUK, called the “Big Bang Revolution Parade”, where the radionuclides analyzed at STUK are presented artistically. The painting is like a memorial to Seppo. Most of the nuclides in the painting have been found by him. During the department's coffee breaks Seppo was an unfailing source of information when it came to questions dealing with space and astronomy. Astronomy was one of Seppo's dearest hobbies, together with outdoor activities, such as skiing, biking and hiking. Seppo was a warm and obliging co-worker and at the same time a true expert that concentrated to his work with great gravity. Seppo left us a valuable legacy, besides in his analysis results, also in his approach how to acquire and achieve knowledge – neither shortcuts nor any trickery is allowed. When Seppo passed away, we lost a colleague and a good friend. We all who knew Seppo will remember him with warm affection. Roy Pöllänen on behalf of the ICRM Executive Board