九州影院

Professor Emeritus Torbj枚rn Norin, of Bromma, Stockholm has died at the age of 86. The closest relatives are his wife Ingegerd, their children Martin, Elisabeth and their families. A daughter Magdalena died in 2009.

Torbj枚rn was born in 脰rnsk枚ldsvik. He studied for a master's degree at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he also became a doctor of technology and associate professor in 1964, after which he continued his studies at the University of Oxford. He was appointed professor of organic chemistry and wood chemistry at KTH in 1969.

Torbj枚rn's research revolved around natural products. Early in his career he devoted himself to the study of chemical compounds isolated from conifers. Eventually, his interests widened. He was one of the initiators of a collaborative project between several Swedish institutions concerning insect pheromones, whose use in decoy traps is of crucial importance to the forest industry.

Another area that Torbj枚rn became interested in, and where he and his collaborating colleagues were pioneers, was the use of enzymes in organic synthesis.

Torbj枚rn created a stimulating environment at the department. His great interest and enthusiasm for research contributed to this and, not least, that he continued his predecessor Holger Erdtman's tradition of ensuring that many foreign students and researchers were invited to the department.

Torbj枚rn had great breadth in his knowledge. All students at the department benefited greatly from his broad view of the field of chemistry and this became an important part of their education. This also meant that he was frequently used as an examiner, not least as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Torbj枚rn was softly spoken and unpretentious and he did not put his own gain first. He loved science, and he enthusiastically shared new ideas. He was a good representative of the 鈥渙ld solid school鈥�.

Professor Christina M枚berg

Dr. Keith H. Baggaley