"It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the death of Prof. Łukasz Turski … an outstanding theoretical physicist, a tireless promoter of science, and an inspiring teacher," the Polish Academy of Sciences said in a statement.
"His passion for science, commitment to education, and countless popularization initiatives left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of many generations," it added.
The academy described Turski as "not only an exceptional scientist, but also a man with a big heart, who inspired others with his love of knowledge."
"His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire scientific community and all those who had the honour of knowing him," the statement said.
Turski was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw and the originator of the annual Science Picnic, a popular science event first held in the Polish capital in 1997.
Prof. Dariusz Jemielniak, deputy head of the Polish Academy of Sciences, said Turski "perfectly understood the need to popularize knowledge and education."
He added: "Turski devoted his entire life to helping us better understand the world, patiently explaining that nuclear energy is safe, vaccines save lives, and scientific progress is one of the greatest achievements of our time."
A life in science
Born on November 18, 1943 in the southern city of Kraków, Turski studied physics at the University of Warsaw in the 1960s. He became a leading expert in condensed matter physics and statistical mechanics, earning the title of professor of physical sciences in 1985.
He spent much of his career at the Polish Academy of Sciences’ Centre for Theoretical Physics, where he researched the dynamics of molecular and atomic binding on crystal surfaces. He was also affiliated with Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw.
Turski published more than 100 scientific papers in leading journals and wrote extensively on popular science topics. His work appeared in the Rzeczpospolita daily and the weeklies Tygodnik Powszechny and Wprost. He also hosted radio and television programmes.
Turski received numerous accolades, including the European Physical Society Medal for popularizing physics in 2000.
In 2010, he was awarded the prestigious Honorary Golden Microphone by public broadcaster Polish Radio. The following year, President Bronisław Komorowski honoured him with the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Polonia Restituta Order, one of Poland’s highest state decorations.
Turski passed away on the night of March 21-22. His funeral will be held at Warsaw's Powązki Military Cemetery on March 31, Polish Radio reported.
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Source: polskieradio.pl, rp.pl, academia.pan.pl