Professor Andrzej Strupczewski Death – Professor Andrzej, a towering figure in Polish science and a tireless advocate for nuclear power, has died on Tuesday, February 18, at the age of 88. His death marks the end of an era, but his lifelong dedication to advancing nuclear energy in Poland and beyond ensures that his legacy will endure for generations.
Professor Strupczewski devoted nearly his entire life to the field of nuclear energy, becoming a cornerstone of Poland’s scientific community. Over his remarkable 88 years, he wore many hats: engineer, researcher, educator, and advocate. His work was not just a career—it was a mission. He believed deeply in the potential of nuclear energy to transform Poland’s future, and he spent decades laying the groundwork for a safer, more sustainable energy landscape.
Born in a time of global upheaval, Strupczewski’s journey was one of resilience and brilliance. He earned his doctorate in engineering and went on to become an extraordinary professor at the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Poland. His expertise made him a sought-after voice in international circles, serving as Vice-President of the Association of Ecologists on Nuclear Energy (SEREN), Chairman of the Nuclear Safety Commission, and a trusted expert for both the European Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
One of his most significant contributions was his work on the MARIA research reactor, a project he not only designed but also guided through its technological evolution. His pioneering research on heat flow in the core of the EWA reactor set new standards in the field. For six years, he brought his expertise to the IAEA in Vienna, where he led international reactor safety research programs. Even after the suspension of Poland’s Żarnowiec nuclear power plant project in the 1990s, Strupczewski remained undeterred. He continued to analyze reactor safety in countries like Armenia, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, and led IAEA missions to assess power plants across Europe, including in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and beyond.
Strupczewski’s work was not confined to reactors and safety protocols. He was a visionary who understood the broader implications of energy production. During his time at the IAEA, he conducted groundbreaking comparative analyses of how different energy sources impact the environment and human health. He played a key role in the European Commission’s ExternE program, which quantified the societal costs of energy-related deaths, illnesses, and environmental damage. His efforts to introduce the ExternE methodology in Poland were instrumental in shaping the country’s energy policies.
A prolific writer and thinker, Strupczewski authored four books and over 250 papers on nuclear energy, earning six patents along the way. His insights were sought by governments and organizations worldwide, and he was one of only four international experts called to evaluate third-generation reactors proposed for the United Kingdom. His work on stress testing nuclear units in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster further underscored his commitment to safety and innovation.
Beyond his professional achievements, Strupczewski was a man of deep integrity and passion. He was a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences’ Energy Problems Committee and Radiation Sciences Committee, and he represented Poland on the UNIPEDE and ISO Nuclear Energy Committees. His contributions were recognized with some of Poland’s highest honors, including the Knight’s Cross of Polonia Restituta, the Golden Cross of Merit, and the Officer’s Cross of Polonia Restituta.
Those who knew him remember not only his brilliance but also his kindness and humility. As the editorial team of *Geiger Counter*, we were privileged to speak with Professor Strupczewski on several occasions. In 2017, we published a partial interview with him, and in 2021, we featured him in our *ChernobyLive* project. Each conversation revealed a man deeply committed to his work, yet always approachable and eager to share his knowledge.
A memorial service will be held on February 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Old Love, Poland. It will be a time to honor a man whose life was a testament to the power of perseverance and vision.
Professor Strupczewski’s dream of a Polish nuclear future lives on. As he once said, “The atom is not just energy; it is hope.” Though he may no longer be with us, his grandchildren—and future generations of Poles—will one day see the fruits of his labor. Rest in peace, Professor Andrzej Strupczewski. Your light will continue to guide us.