In Memoriam: Ian Affleck (1952-2024)

October 8, 2024

By Jeremy Heyl, Department Head, UBC Physics & Astronomy

With great sadness, I am writing to inform you that our friend and colleague, Professor Ian Affleck, died on Friday October 4, 2024.

Ian grew up in Vancouver, studied at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario for his undergraduate degree and Harvard University for his doctoral degree. Ian joined the department in 1987 after teaching at Princeton University. 

Ian's main research interests were in theoretical condensed matter physics, in particular its interface with elementary particle theory. He earned many honours including the Steacie Prize, the Herzberg Medal, the Rutherford Medal and Fellowship of the Royal Society. Many will remember the symposium held in 2018 at UBC, 30 years of AKLT: Interacting Systems in Low Dimensions, that celebrated many of Ian’s contributions to theoretical physics.

Beyond his research Ian will be remembered for his commitment to teaching. From 2003 Ian was a University Killam Professor and from 2021 University Killam Professor Emeritus. His students from first-year undergraduates to graduate students have praised his efforts toward creating a welcoming classroom, his deep knowledge of physics and his passionate devotion to sharing this knowledge with them. 

Ian was a role model as a scientist, a beacon of integrity and kindness as a human being, and a very generous and warm-hearted friend.

Ian is remembered as a devoted and beloved husband to Glenda Affleck and a loving father and grandfather.

Our deepest condolences go out to Ian’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

 

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