In memoriam: Prof. Uri Rothblum

Submitted by
Name: Noam Goldberg
From: Naperville IL
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I was a postdoc of Uri's during 2009-2011 at the Technion after first meeting him and having followed him from Rutgers University where he visited. Uri intrigued me by his breadth of seemingly unrelated interests and versatility that I could only aspire to. His work is proof that the versatility of the founders of the field of OR is still possible in this day and age. On the other hand it is his exceptional and one-of-a-kind talent that allowed him to prove it.

I was lucky to have Uri as a mentor. While working on a completely different field in my postdoc might not have been the best professional choice on my part (again aspiring for Uri's versatility), I do not regret it one bit. I learned immensely from my interaction with Uri.

Uri's genuine interest and care for his students was also one of a kind. Another thing I noticed and admired in Uri was his emphasis and priority in his attention to his family even within the busier daily schedules. This is another thing I look up to now and find myself falling short at times with my own young family.

I am sorry if I let you down at any point -- there is still work to be done.

Added: May 3, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Yigal Gerchak
From: Tel-Aviv University
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Uri's breath of areas of research was amazing, without sacrificing any depth.
My condolences to the family.

Added: April 24, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Elad Hazan
From: Technion
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Uri's leadership and presence was felt everywhere in the department and unmistakeable. I'll remember Uri as uncompromising and professional, and yet extremely supportive of young faculty, always quick to help and generous with guidance.
Farewell Uri. Condolences to his family.

Added: April 19, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Ariela Sofer
From: George Mason University
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Uri was not only an exceptional researcher but also an exceptional teacher. I had the privilege of take a course on recent advances in optimization from Uri while I was a masters's student at the Technion - some time in the late 70's. Uri was absolutely masterful in his exposition, presenting each topic as a riveting mystery, that we (the students) were unraveling, step by logical step. The students were in awe and wonder. Math had rarely been so exciting! Later when I read the papers that Uri described I sometimes wondered whether he had more insight into the topic than the authors of the ideas. He was a brilliant scientist and a brilliant teacher!

Ariela Sofer

Added: April 19, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Carole and Paul Kantor
From: Rutgers
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Of many memories of Uri, always with a twinkle in his eye, there is one we will never forget. We arrived in Haifa at 4:00am,
having been up for 24 or 25 hours and Uri met us at the train station. After quickly verifying that we were able to walk and to
talk he said 'before we proceed, you have to see the beach'. So we did. And when we got to the parking lot, he said 'Oh, and my
son's car is here, will you follow me back to campus, and drive it'.

Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so we did. And then 'I checked with the guest house and your room will not be ready until
noon. But you can sleep in my office.' And so we did -- Carole on the couch, and Paul on pillows on the floor, until it was time
for Paul's talk, and Uri woke us.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family
Carole and Paul Kantor

Added: April 12, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Maydan Rothblum
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Dear Friends,

We wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all the kind words, thoughts, stories, encouragement and support. While we are devastated by the loss, this blog has been a great source of comfort to us. We are grateful for your friendship and humbled by the way Uri touched so many people.

Maydan(Modi), Guy, Ron and Naomi

Added: April 12, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Morris Cohen
From: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I have known Uri throughout my career. He was a gifted scholar and a gentleman. Uri, you will be missed by all.

Added: April 11, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Amitabh Trehan
From: Technion
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I shared the same floor with Uri and he was the postdoc advisor of a good friend. I will always remember his singing and whistling in the corridor and the jovial and kind energy he used to bring. Will miss his presence...

Added: April 10, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Dimitris Bertsimas
From: MIT
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Uri was a remarkable person: generous, considerate, brilliant, full of life and ideas. His passing reminds me the fragility of life and the importance to live life to its fullest, a principle that Uri epitomized in many respects.
The world is a poorer place without him.

Uri, I will miss you.......Dimitris

Added: April 10, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Dov Dori and Judy Dori
From: Technion
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Uri was a true gentleman and a great scholar. I will always remember him as the guy who used to sing while walking in the corridor in the fifth floor. We will miss him for consultation and discussions, ashe was always willing to share his knowledge and experience, but the loss to the family is by far the greatest. Our sincere condolences to Neomi, the children, and his sister.
Judy and Dubi Dori

Added: April 4, 2012