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Thadeush J. Malinowski (1921-1996)

Thadeush Josifovich Malinowski, Professor of Crystallography, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Moldova Republic, and world famous crystallographer died on February 27, 1996 at age 74.

After service in the army in the Second World War, Malinowski graduated from the Department of Physics of Kishinev Pedagogical University. He began as a specialist on diagnostics using the methods of powder diffraction in the Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. He was the first in Moldova to determine single crystal structures, studying compounds of the MX22A Structural class (where M=Co, Zn, Cd; X-halogen, A-amine). N. Y. Belov, G. B. Bokii, and M. A. Porai-Koshits were among his supervisors. Soon a laboratory of physical methods of solid state investigation was established devoted to the study of coordination compounds including Co and Rh complexes with dioximes, polynuclear copper (II) carboxilates, 3d-element complexes with thiosemicarbazides and carbazones. In the 70's, studies were expanded to include organic and inorganic biologically active compounds, macrocycles and their complexes and phase transitions. Targets for study included the theory of structure determination and the development of new programs for analysis of geometric, electronic and conformational features of molecules.

Lectures on crystallography that he offered at the Department of Chemistry of Kishinev University were distinguished for their richness of content. He trained hundreds of students, 30 of whom achieved the PhD degree and now work in Moldova and abroad. He published more than 600 articles and monographs and review chapters. He received the State Prize of Moldova in 1983 and 1994 in the field of science. He was among the leaders of the Institute of Applied Physics, and headed a number of organizations including The Physical Society of Moldova and the Polish Union in Moldova. He organized conferences and schools, attended International Crystallographic meetings, was a national representative on IUCr commissions, a member of the editorial board of "Coordination Chemistry" and was among the leaders of the European Physical Society. Crystallographers in Moldova benefited not only from Prof. Malinowski's scientific knowledge and research, but from his general educational and cultural capabilities as well. He was erudite, communicative and congenial and had a great many friends, colleagues and pupils who mourn the great loss to crystallography and extend deepest condolences to his wife, son, and granddaughter.

Yurii A. Simonov