10
Sep
In Memory: Kazumi Maki
It has been ten years since we lost one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century, Professor Kazumi Maki.
Born in Takamatsu, Japan, on 27 January 1936, Kazumi Maki studied physics at Kyoto University and completed his PhD thesis in 1964. He then undertook a year-long postdoctoral position at the University of Chicago before serving as an assistant professor at UC San Diego for two years. In 1967, at the young age of 31, Kazumi became a professor at Tohoku University. Later, in 1974, he accepted a professorship at the University of Southern California, where he remained until his passing.
In 1995, some of the current members of the BRAMS Institute had the great honour of meeting him in person during his visit to Tbilisi, Georgia. His vibrant personality and exceptional professional abilities, particularly in the field of superconductivity, left a lasting impression.
Professor Kazumi Maki was easygoing, friendly, and occasionally bubbly. He eagerly welcomed new experiences, including trying various dishes from Georgian cuisine. Always smiling like a child, this prolific solid-state theorist—one of the most accomplished of the last five decades—never boasted about his many talents, whether in science, culinary skills, singing, or playing the violin. His colleagues often enjoyed sharing delightful stories about him.
Despite facing a severe illness, Professor Maki returned to his research in early 2007 after battling cancer. He spent his last summer, as usual, enjoying every aspect of his busy life—travelling extensively and speaking at conferences in Hungary, Croatia, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany. After collapsing in Dresden, he returned to Los Angeles, where he remained until his death.
On 10 September 2008, this talented and brave man departed, but left behind a warm and bright legacy as a wonderful person.
