In Memoriam: Gary Horlick (BSc Alberta 1965, FRSC)

It is with great sadness that we share that our alumnus, colleague and former chair Gary Horlick passed away on November 1, 2018.

Chuck Lucy - 18 December 2018

It is with great sadness that we share that our alumnus, colleague and former chair Gary Horlick passed away on November 1, 2018. Gary joined our department as an undergraduate in 1961, and, except for his PhD at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, was with us until his retirement in 2006.

Gary was world-renowned for his work in analytical atomic spectroscopy. His research advanced inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission and ICP-mass spectrometers such that both are now workhorses in analytical and environmental labs around the world. Gary pioneered the application of linear image sensors (photodiode arrays) for atomic spectrochemical measurements-work that predated the commercial developments by two decades. He was among the first to adopt microprocessors, to incorporate them into routine measurements, and to focus on the 'human/processor' interface that make modern instrumentation intuitive and easy to use. His honours included the Meggers Award from the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the Fisher Scientific Lecture Award from the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Lester W. Strock Award from the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the Spectrochemical Analysis Award from the American Chemical Society, and the Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh.

Gary mentored 45 graduate students and many undergraduates and postdoctoral fellows during his career. His laboratory at UofA was a "must" stop for most analytical spectroscopists visiting North America and attracted a broad range of collaborators and co-workers.

Gary was a gentleman and scholar. His friends and colleagues miss him. A celebration of Gary's life will be held on January 18, 2019 at 1:30 pm at the River West Christian Church in Edmonton. You may share your condolences and memories with his family-his wife Maureen, and his two daughters Karen and Laura, and his grandchildren Kalan and Tessa-and friends at this Guestbook.

Memorial donations may be made to the University of Alberta. Visit ualberta.ca/giving or send donations payable to the "University of Alberta" to the Office of Memorial and Tribute Giving | 3-501, 10230 Jasper Ave NW | Edmonton AB T5J 4P6, noting your donation is to support the Gary Horlick Memorial Fund.