"For us, an engaging, gracious, kind and generous friend during the time we lived in Houston. We mourn with Angela, Anne and Tanya and with all of Roland's friends. Bill and Mary Moon"
In loving memory of
Professor Roland Glowinski
March 9, 1937 - January 26, 2022
Beloved brother, husband, father and grandfather, Roland Glowinski was born March 9th 1937 in Paris, France, the first child of Anna and Nathan who had left their native Belarus and Poland as waves of antisemitism were rising in Eastern Europe.
Roland, his mother and brother Albert survived World War II thanks to the friendship of their mother Anna with the Botineaus, a selfless and courageous Christian family from Sarge-sur-Bray in the Loir et Cher area of France. For their heroism, the Botineau family was recognized as Righteous among the Nations by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem in 2005. You can read about the story and see photos of Roland and Albert with the Botineau family during WWII on the Yad Vashem website at: Botineau Madeleine ; Son: Roger ; Daughter: Lucas Madeleine (Botineau) (yadvashem.org). After the war, Roland and his family returned to Paris, reuniting with his father Nathan who had been a prisoner of war in Germany. Roland and his family always remained deeply connected with the Botineau family.
On the instigation of his mother, Roland visited Israel for the first time at 19, where he met his wife-to-be Angela, a good friend of a niece of Anna. Roland and Angela married in 1963 at Paris' Great Synagogue on Rue de la Victoire, with Rabbi Choukroun (later the Chief Rabbi of Paris) officiating. They later had two daughters Anne and Tania.
Going back to their childhood, Roland and his brother Albert excelled in school. They won admission into the elite Ecole Polytechnique, one of the two most exclusive scientific institutions of higher learning in France. Ecole Polytechnique was a military school and Roland served honorably as a French officer in the Algerian War.
After Ecole Polytechnique, Roland obtained a diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Telecommunications and secured a job as an engineer for the French Broadcasting Authority. While working full-time as an engineer and encouraged by the great Professor Jacques-Louis Lions, his thesis advisor and lifelong mentor, Roland obtained his Doctorat d'Etat in Mathematics from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) in 1970.
Then began a very illustrious Mathematician career for Roland. Roland was awarded a professorship at the University of Paris VI in 1970 and also worked as a scientific director for INRIA, the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (Institut National de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies du Numerique).
Quickly rising to great renown, Roland collaborated with mathematicians from all over the world and was invited to spend summers as a visiting professor at various international universities such as Stanford University, the University of Rio de Janeiro and the University of Madison-Wisconsin. Roland also participated in "scientific diplomacy" as part of a select group of French mathematicians and dignitaries who traveled to Russia in the 70s to start a scientific collaboration with Russian mathematicians in the midst of the Cold War. He was part of a similar group of French scientists traveling to China in 1981 and selected to participate in a scientific mission to India in 1982, led by French President François Mitterrand.
By the mid-80s, Roland was well established as one of the leaders in applied mathematics and scientific computing worldwide.
In 1985 Roland took a position as the Cullen Professor of Mathematics at the University of Houston. He continued his illustrious applied mathematics career in the US and the world, regularly participating in conferences, lecturing, teaching, mentoring, researching, and publishing. He authored or co-authored 10 scientific books, as well as over 450 scientific papers. His awards and distinctions throughout his career include:
-Silver Medal of the City of Paris, 1980
-Officer of the French Order of the National Merit, 1987
-Member, Academia Europaea, 1988
-Laureate of the Seymour Cray Prize-France, 1988
-Laureate of the Grand Prix Marcel Dassault of the French National Academy of Sciences, 1996
-Knight of the French Order of the Légion d'Honneur, 1998
-Member, French National Academy of Technology, 2000
-Laureate of the SIAM Theodore Von Kármán Prize, 2004
-SIAM Fellow
-Fellow of the American Mathematical Society
-Honorary Doctor, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, 2004
-Member, French National Academy of Sciences, 2005
-Computational Fluid Dynamics Award, US Association for Computational Mechanics, 2011
-2020 W.T. and Idalia Reid Prize from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
In addition to his position at the University of Houston, Roland also held various formal, adjunct, visiting and honorary professorship roles with universities all over the world, including:
-Honorary Professor, Fudan University, China
-Fairchild Distinguished Visiting Scientist, California Institute of Technology, 1988/1989
-Adjunct Professor of Computational and Applied Mathematics, Rice University, 1986-present
-Docent Professor of Computational and Applied Mathematics, University of Jyväskylä, Finland: 2001-present
-Assistant, Associate, Full and Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI): 1970-2000. Emeritus Professor since 2000.
-Lecturer in Computational and Applied Mathematics at Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France: 1968- 1985
-Visiting Professor, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 2008
-Visiting Professor, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, 2008-2015
-Visiting Professor, Hong Kong Baptist University, 2015
Aside from his passion for mathematics Roland had many hobbies and interests. He developed a keen fascination for astronomy at a young age as well as science fiction, drawing pictures of stars and planets as a child. He could always be found devouring one or several books at the same time. He grew a passion for fishing from his other mentor, Roger Lucas, the husband of Madeleine Botineau.
Most of all, Roland was dedicated to his family and his dear wife of 58 years, Angela, his strongest supporter and cheerleader throughout his career. Finally, Roland was known, in the applied mathematics community, among his friends, his family members and all who met him for his unique love of others, kindness, empathy and compassion. He was truly highly loved and respected by everyone. He will be missed dearly and is profoundly grieved.
He is survived by his wife Angela, brother Albert Glowinski, daughters Dr. Anne Glowinski and Tania Glowinski Gonzalez, grand-children Jacques, Théo, and Sammy Fehr, Joshua and Eliora Glowinski Gonzalez, sons-in-law Jim Fehr and Juan Gonzalez and nephews Julien and François Glowinski.
Tributes
"I was truly blessed to have been one of Professor Roland Glowinski's many doctoral students. He was my thesis supervisor and later became a very wonderful mentor and advisor after graduation. I am thankful for the role he played in shaping my career. My sincere condolences go to his wife, children and the entire family. May his gentle soul rest in peace."
"C'est une bien triste nouvelle que celle du décès de Roland. J'adresse mes sincères condoléances à Angela et toute la famille. Je connaissais Roland depuis mes débuts à l'Inria ( IRIA à l'époque) dans le groupe d'Alain Bensoussan. Je n'ai eu que quelques occasions de le voir après son établissement à Houston, notamment au congrès du 70 ème anniversaire de J.L. Lions, mais je garde la mémoire non seulement du mathématicien renommémais aussi d'un collègue d'une solidité inébranlable. Maurice Robin"
"Roland was a great man in all respects, a scientific example to be followed, humorous yet frank and to the point, warm, accessible and available to discuss various aspects, a steadfast support of his family and of his friends. He deserves our admiration. I wish Angela, his daughters to whom he was so attached, his son-in-laws and grandchildren, consolation in the knowledge that he led a great life amongst you, and was an example in all respects for the scientific community"
"With deepest sympathy to the Glowinski Family.....Matt O'Malley"
"With heartfelt Condolences."
"Bien Chère Angela, C'est avec une grande tristesse que j'ai appris le récent décès de Roland. Il était pour moi l'un des piliers fondateurs de l'IRIA/INRIA et l'initiateur du Code d'Éléments Finis Modulef. J'ai toujours trouvé en lui une écoute très attentive, d'excellents conseils et une approche extrêmement constructive des différents aspects de la recherche que ce soient les fondamentaux, les applications et la diffusion dans le monde entier. Plus tard, lorsque j'ai migré au Pôle Universitaire Léonard de Vinci, il m'a très significativement aidé à monter - le Master de Calcul Scientifique, - puis l'École Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci et à asseoir ces formations/recherches dans le cadre national et international. Je lui en suis très reconnaissant. Au-delà de ces contributions liées au travail, j'ai beaucoup apprécié ses grandes qualités humaines, son humour et sa très bonne humeur. Je n'oublie pas nos rencontres, oh combien chaleureuses, lors de missions internationales aux États-Unis, en Espagne et nos deux semaines inoubliables passées dans une Chine renaissante en 1981. C'est pourquoi, je m'associe à ta peine et à celle de toute ta famille en espérant que tu puisses retrouver une certaine sérénité dans les mois qui viennent. Reçois mes très chaleureuses amitiés Michel Bernadou "
"Roland a beaucoup compté dans mes débuts à l'Inria. J'ai travaillé, sous sa direction, sur de nombreux sujets de recherche. Il a toujours été bienveillant et amical avec moi. Je tiens à lui témoigner ma reconnaissance et à le remercier. Je pense à sa famille, ses proches, et tous ceux qui l'ont aimé et je prends part à leur profonde tristesse. Adieu Roland. Jean-François Bourgat"
"J'ai appris avec une profonde tristesse le décès de Roland Glowinski. Roland a été mon professeur à l'Université Paris VI, il m'a permis de rentrer à l'IRIA en 1972, il a dirigé ma thèse, et j'ai travaillé dans son équipe jusqu'à son départ pour l'Université de Houston. Il m'a appris les Mathématiques Appliquées, il a été un "maître" admiré, enthousiaste et chaleureux. Nous partagions un même attachement pour un petit coin de Perche en Loir et Cher. Je présente mes très profondes condoléances à son épouse Angela et à toute sa famille."
"Roland will be missed by all those who know him. His mathematical legacy will continue to enlighten generations of computational and applied mathematicians."
"On top of all that Roland brought to the Mathematics department, we will greatly miss his warmth, kindness, urbanity, and style. It is a huge loss."
"Il a été mon professeur, mon directeur de thèse, mon collègue a l'Inria et bien plus, Je l'ai admiré il va me manquer. Mes plus sincères condoléances a Angela et a toute la famille. Avec une grande tristesse Marina Vidrascu "
"My deepest condolences for the loss of dear Professor Roland Glowinski. In the mid-eighties, when I discover the book Numerical Methods for Nonlinear Variational Problems, I had hope that some day I could meet him, that life experience, fortunately happened in 1991. Francisco J. Sánchez-Bernabe"
"J'ai suivi les cours de Roland Glowinski en 1974 à l'université Paris VI. Je suis ensuite rentré à l'IRIA et j'ai été affecté à son projet. Il a donc tenu un rôle principal dans ma formation initiale et je lui dois une bonne partie de ce que je sais en mathématiques appliquées. Avec Alain Bensoussan il a hautement secondé Jacques Louis Lions dans le virage des années 70 pour faire évoluer les mathématiques françaises, d'un très haut niveau mais très abstraites vers une mise en ?uvre sur des problèmes concrets. Cela s'est fait en gardant une approche scientifique rigoureuse et c'est encore la marque de l'INRIA aujourd'hui. Il a donc fortement marqué les mathématiques appliquées. Nous nous sommes à nouveau rapprochés récemment par l'intermédiaire d'Angel Manuel Ramos : j'ai dirigé sa thèse à l'INRIA puis il a fait un stage postdoctoral à Houston avec Roland Glowinski. Je sais qu'il avait gardé un attachement très sincère avec lui . Je présente mes très profondes condoléances à son épouse et à sa famille. Jacques Henry INRIA Bordeaux"
"I am deeply sadden by the loss of our beloved friend, Roland. We were so fortunate to have Roland and Angela visiting us in Hong Kong for the past 12 years and we were expecting them to come back again when the travel restriction eased. Roland,you will be forever remember in our heart. Angela, our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Please take care. Raymond Chan "
"I have admired Roland's research for decades, and I have been lucky to work with him. He has been a supportive and generous colleague to me. My deepest condolences to his family. Sincerely, Matthias Heinkenschloss"
"Roland was a colleague, but first a friend and a mentor. Besides intense and inspiring discussions about mathematics, I'll remember his kindness, his empathy, his restless curiosity, and also us talking about politics, sports, culture, books or movies, or sharing a drink. I feel very fortunate to have known Roland and I miss him already. Dear Angela, my sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. Alexandre Caboussat Lausanne, Switzerland January 31, 2022 "
"I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Roland's passing away. It was like yesterday that we met and chatted the last time in the elevator of PGH. His kindness and smiles will be missed. "
"I am so lucky to know Roland. He is an amiable, thoughtful friend and mentor. I was shocked when I heard his passing away. We just communicated a few weeks ago. I have been looking forward to seeing him again in a near future. I lost a dear friend and mentor. The mathematics community lost a great leader. Roland, we will greatly miss you."
"I am so lucky to know Roland in my life. He has been a amiable, thoughtful friend and mentor. I could not have been where I am now without him. I was shocked when I heard his passing away. We just communicated a few weeks ago. I have been looking forward to seeing him in near future. I lost a dear friend and mentor. The mathematics community lost a great leader. Roland, we will greatly miss you."
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my wonderful colleague. My sincere condolences to Roland?s family. "
"Roland Glowinski has always been a great reference for us. Dear Angela, we are very sorry for your loss. We fondly remember your visit to Córdoba. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Mercedes Marín, Carmen Calzada, José Luis Cruz Universidad de Córdoba (Spain)"
" Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues of Professor Roland Glowinski, The breaking news of decease of Roland hit me and my wife here in Finland, Jyväskylä, yesterday. Our hearts are with Roland's family. In addition to multiple scientific breakthroughs due to joint work with Roland, our shared fishing trips here in Finland bring bright and happy memories which do not fade awey. When Roland was nominated as the Honory Doctor of the University of Jyväskylä, me and my wife had the honor to host Roland and Angela. During this visit, before the actual ceremony, we went to fishing with Roland to the nearby rapids in Laukaa. And we were surprised to find out that our fishing guide and oarsman was actually a physician! We were extremely lucky that we shared the professional company of Doctor-Timo, who lived over hundred miles away from the rapids but wanted to support keen fishermen, also twice after this first encounter during later visits. To conclude, we are ever grateful that we had the privilege to be acquainted with the Scientist and Human Roland Glowinski. Jyväskylä January 30, 2022 Tommi Kärkkäinen Professor University of Jyväskylä Faculty of Information Technology"
"Professor Glowinski radiated goodwill, kindness and generousness. In his lectures and books, he made complicated matter look so easy, climbing those mountains felt like a casual hike. For me, the highest form of expertise. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. What a loss."
"I received the news of Roland?s demise with shock and disbelief. After meeting him as an exhange student at the University of Houston in 1991 and eventually having the fortune of work with him as his PhD student, I found my professional path, which I have explored and extended since then. He was great scientist with a great heart and a source of immense amount of one-liners that cracked me up every time. He will be dearly missed. My heartfelt condolences to Angela and the rest of the family. "
"Certains êtres qui nous sont chers nous quittent souvent de façon inexpliquée. Roland est un de ceux la. Il fut pour moi et notre famille un grand ami, très humain et toujours à l'écoute ; j?aimais passer de longues heures avec lui entre Paris et Houston, à 'analyser des résultats numériques ou à rédiger un papier , motivés par la recherche et les applications aéronautiques. Il m?encouragea tout au long de ma carrière comme Directeur de Thèse et mentor. C?est un très grand et talentueux scientifique, un expert de réputation internationale dans les domaine des Mathématiques Appliqués (Computational Mathematics) qui nous quitte. Il va me manquer dans les jours, les mois et les années à venir ainsi qu?à la communauté scientifique internationale. Mes sincères condoléances vont à Angela, Anne ,Tania et leur famille. Je prends part à leur peine dans ce douloureux moment et leur souhaite beaucoup de courage. Jacques Periaux "
"Roland was one of my closest friends. He was like a brother for me. His wife Angela is like my sister, his daughters Anne and Tania are like my daughters. I will remain faithful to his memory and to his family. "
"My heart stopped when I read the email. It is so hard to accept. Roland was internationally acclaimed as a brilliant mathematician, but to me he was also a kind, gentle, loyal, generous, and gregarious man. My deepest condolences to you, dear Angela. I will always remember the happy times Roland, you and I shared together in France and here in Texas. Sincerely, Tom "
"I will forever be indebted to Professor Glowinski for the unique education and mathematical training he provided to me. I am especially grateful for the lively times we shared all over the world. Une vie honorable est une vie éternelle. "
"Dr. Glowinski was my guru, one of my great heroes. Back in 1998, when I was having issues with my previous advisor, I turned to Dr. Glowinski for his support, and he gave it to me immediately without worrying about the problems it would cause him. He showed me what impact empathetic leaders can make on others' lives. His intellect, humor and above all his kindness will be missed.."
"My condolences to Roland?s family. I will always remember him as a genuinely great person and a steadfast supporter of Mathematics."
"Dear Angela, I received the saddest news by email in many years. I know that this moment is very difficult for you and I hope that you can find some relief soon. I would like to be in Houston to support you and give you a big hug in person. Receive my condolences from Mexico. I love you both very much. Professor Roland Glowinski was one of my dearest people, not only because he was my mentor and role model, but because he was an extraordinarily nice person and a deep humanist, eager to help and share his knowledge. I am sure that many people around the world are sad. His memory will be with us forever. Sincerely yours Hector Juarez"
"I am so sad to hear the terrible news that Professor Glowinski passed away. The math community lost a visionary leader, I lost a dear friend, mentor, and collaborator. We all will miss Roland dearly. Our most sincere condolences and prayers to Professor Glowinski's family. "
"Roland was a splendid scientist and a wonderful friend. I have so many happy memories working with him in math at U of H, I owe him so much and miss him so much. Dear Angela, all my thoughts and sympathy go to you, Anne, Tania, and your family. Vivette Girault"
"It is sad to hear just now that Professor Roland Glowinski passed away. I known him since 2016 and after that I turned my research to ADMM (it was originally proposed by Professor Glowinski and Gabay et al.) and its variants. I remembered at first time to ask him some questions about ADMM by email and quickly Professor Roland Glowinski sent me an email to answer my concerns. He is so nice to a stranger. His death is a big loss to the optimization community of the world. Best wishes, Jianchao Bai"
"I was still communicating with Roland and working together on project with him just some days ago. It was such a nice experience to communicate and work with Roland. We are planning to have Roland to visit Hong Kong Baptist University in the summer. It was a shock and a a very sad feeling when I heard about this. We will also miss Roland. Such a great mathematician, such a nice friend and such a good person.
"
"This is to express my deep sadness for this news. I will always remember Professor Glowinski as a very special person that influenced a lot in me and many colleagues. Having learned a lot of things from him, I will always be grateful at the professional and personal levels."
"Dear Professor, Dear friend, Dear Roland. It's been an enormous pleasure to be able to enjoy your wisdom and friendship and to share with you so many good moments.
My heartfelt condolences to Angela, his family and all who have been touched by the loss of Roland."
"We will all miss Prof. Glowinski and remember the good times we had with him. My deepest sympathy to the family during this difficult time."
"We cherish the memory of a dear friend and a great scientist and mathematician. Roland will be remembered for his kind manner, humor, superb intelligence and important and lasting contributions."
"Roland: You were a great mathematician, but a greater friend. Jean and I ill much miss your friendship. Richard Tapia"