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Rudolf Přibil—The man
IV
OBITUARIES
enormous analytical potential of the class of compounds termed “complexones”, introduced by Professor G. Schwarzenbach. With dozens of his pupils he developed numerous practical analytical methods involving the use of EDTA and related compounds, first as masking agents, later mainly as titrants. With his co-workers he introduced a number of new metallochromic indicators, such as Xylenol Orange, Methylthymol Blue, Thymolphthaleincomplexone and Fluoresceincomplexone. These works have had a great impact on analytical chemistry throughout the world. In Czechoslovakia, his outstanding contribution to analytical chemistry was recognized in 1953 by the award of the State Prize and in 1958 by the degree of D.Sc. He was awarded the Talanta Gold Medal in 1971. Dr. Piibil did much to disseminate knowledge in his excellent lectures, that were renowned for their wit and for his inimitable skill in practical demonstrations. The lecture theatres were always packed by students, as well as practising analysts, who came to listen to him. He was a fanatic at work, with an unerring sense for practical usefulness and with countless original ideas. He asked much of his students, but did not spare himself or his time in helping them. Even after his retirement, he went to work in the analytical laboratory of the Geological Institute, Charles University, until poor health finally prevented him from doing so. He was a great story-teller and it was a delight listening to him. He made lots of friends in all the continents of the world, with whom he maintained friendly contacts until the end of his life. His many years of service to Tdanta, as a regional editor, should also not be forgotten. One of the last classical chemists in the world, a unique personality with a very broad background, has died. He will be greatly missed by all his pupils, friends and other people associated with analytical chemistry. KAREL
RUDOLF
PRIBIL-THE
STUL~K
MAN
I first met Rudolf Piibil in 1959 when he came to Aberdeen to give a lecture. An immediate rapport was established and we rapidly became good friends. In the years that followed I came to know him well, as a person as well as a chemist. He had a warm, extrovert and generous personality, and many unsuspected talents. As a young man he had a reputation as a tennis player, but in much later life revealed an unexpected skill at billiards (presumably dating from student days). He was renowned for his sense of humour and very ready wit. During a demonstration lecture in Aberdeen, finding no spatula had been provided, he broke up a firmly caked chemical in a reagent bottle with what he immediately referred to as an “analytically pure finger”, a term that at once passed into daily use among students. When asked whether a certain lecture might not be terminated after about 90 minutes of exposition, he replied “Why? My plane doesn’t leave till next week”. All who have heard him give a lecture in English will recall his habitual opening remark “Please forget all rules of English grammar!“, followed by what may best be described as a fluid use of the language in giving a clear and always fascinating account of his newest ideas, illustrated by elegant demonstrations performed with remarkable dexterity. His extensive travels in the course of lecturing on complexometric analysis led to a fund of stories about his adventures, ranging from breaking light bulbs with his head in Japanese hotel rooms (“I am too tall for Japan”) to being marooned for a week in Moscow because of fog at the airport, and a plane missed through a misunderstanding. Like the late Professor Belcher, he seemed to attract problems and happenings when travelling, so that travel with him was always full of surprises. By those who knew him well he will be remembered with warmth and great affection, for his friendship and the something extra he brought into their lives. R. A. CHALMERS
OBITUARIES
enormous analytical potential of the class of compounds termed “complexones”, introduced by Professor G. Schwarzenbach. With dozens of his pupils he developed numerous practical analytical methods involving the use of EDTA and related compounds, first as masking agents, later mainly as titrants. With his co-workers he introduced a number of new metallochromic indicators, such as Xylenol Orange, Methylthymol Blue, Thymolphthaleincomplexone and Fluoresceincomplexone. These works have had a great impact on analytical chemistry throughout the world. In Czechoslovakia, his outstanding contribution to analytical chemistry was recognized in 1953 by the award of the State Prize and in 1958 by the degree of D.Sc. He was awarded the Talanta Gold Medal in 1971. Dr. Piibil did much to disseminate knowledge in his excellent lectures, that were renowned for their wit and for his inimitable skill in practical demonstrations. The lecture theatres were always packed by students, as well as practising analysts, who came to listen to him. He was a fanatic at work, with an unerring sense for practical usefulness and with countless original ideas. He asked much of his students, but did not spare himself or his time in helping them. Even after his retirement, he went to work in the analytical laboratory of the Geological Institute, Charles University, until poor health finally prevented him from doing so. He was a great story-teller and it was a delight listening to him. He made lots of friends in all the continents of the world, with whom he maintained friendly contacts until the end of his life. His many years of service to Tdanta, as a regional editor, should also not be forgotten. One of the last classical chemists in the world, a unique personality with a very broad background, has died. He will be greatly missed by all his pupils, friends and other people associated with analytical chemistry. KAREL
RUDOLF
PRIBIL-THE
STUL~K
MAN
I first met Rudolf Piibil in 1959 when he came to Aberdeen to give a lecture. An immediate rapport was established and we rapidly became good friends. In the years that followed I came to know him well, as a person as well as a chemist. He had a warm, extrovert and generous personality, and many unsuspected talents. As a young man he had a reputation as a tennis player, but in much later life revealed an unexpected skill at billiards (presumably dating from student days). He was renowned for his sense of humour and very ready wit. During a demonstration lecture in Aberdeen, finding no spatula had been provided, he broke up a firmly caked chemical in a reagent bottle with what he immediately referred to as an “analytically pure finger”, a term that at once passed into daily use among students. When asked whether a certain lecture might not be terminated after about 90 minutes of exposition, he replied “Why? My plane doesn’t leave till next week”. All who have heard him give a lecture in English will recall his habitual opening remark “Please forget all rules of English grammar!“, followed by what may best be described as a fluid use of the language in giving a clear and always fascinating account of his newest ideas, illustrated by elegant demonstrations performed with remarkable dexterity. His extensive travels in the course of lecturing on complexometric analysis led to a fund of stories about his adventures, ranging from breaking light bulbs with his head in Japanese hotel rooms (“I am too tall for Japan”) to being marooned for a week in Moscow because of fog at the airport, and a plane missed through a misunderstanding. Like the late Professor Belcher, he seemed to attract problems and happenings when travelling, so that travel with him was always full of surprises. By those who knew him well he will be remembered with warmth and great affection, for his friendship and the something extra he brought into their lives. R. A. CHALMERS