OBITUARY: Wilhelm Fushchych, 60, pioneering mathematician from Kyiv

by Roman Andrushkiw and Albert Kipa

KYIV - Wilhelm Fushchych of Kyiv died on April 7 after a brief illness at the age of 60. The pioneering mathematician, a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NANU), was born on December 18, 1936, in the village of Syltse, Zakarpattia, Ukraine.

After graduating from Uzhhorod State University in 1958, he studied at the Institute of Mathematics of NANU in Kyiv, where he successfully defended his doctoral thesis in 1971. From 1978 he headed the Department of Applied Research at the institute. A very gifted scholar and researcher, he published nine books (three of which were translated into English) and over 250 research papers in leading professional journals, which attracted much attention in the international scientific community.

In a series of papers published in the 1970s, Dr. Fushchych solved a fundamental problem of mathematical physics concerning the description of multi-dimensional systems of differential and integro-differential equations that are invariant with respect to the Galilei and Poincare groups, satisfying certain important physical conditions. He also introduced a new (non-Lagrangian) approach for investigating and constructing motion equations in quantum mechanics, deriving new types of equations for particles with arbitrary spin.

Moreover, Dr. Fushchych was the first to discover hidden symmetries and motion integrals for a number of equations of mathematical physics, including Maxwell, Dirac and Lame equations, and established the dual symmetry of these equations. The branch of mathematical physics, now known as symmetry analysis, was introduced and developed principally by Dr. Fushchych and his co-workers, including many of his former students - eight doctors of science and more than 50 candidates of sciences, who today teach and conduct research at various institutions in Ukraine and abroad.

Dr. Fushchych was also a co-founder and editor-in-chief of the international Journal of Nonlinear Mathematical Physics since 1993. In 1995 he organized the first international conference on symmetry in nonlinear mathematical physics at the Institute of Mathematics in Kyiv.

At the time of his death, he was chair of the organizing committee of the second international conference "Symmetry in Nonlinear Mathematical Physics" to be held in Kyiv on July 7-13. His colleagues and students have dedicated the conference to his memory; they also plan to continue publishing his Journal of Nonlinear Mathematical Physics.

Dr. Fushchych was a warm, energetic and gracious human being, a devoted husband and father, with broad cultural interests and a genuine love of and dedication to his country. A memorial service was held at the Institute of Mathematics in Kyiv on April 9. As if to corroborate that the lifework of Wilhelm Fushchych will live on, his last book, published the day before, became available for distribution that day. One of the several colleagues who eulogized the late mathematician placed a copy of the book in his coffin.

There were many tributes and a multitude of wreaths and flower arrangements. The last segment of Mozart's "Requiem" was played repeatedly. Church services followed at Askoldova Mohyla (Askold's Tomb); burial was at the Baikiv Cemetery.

Surviving are Dr. Fushchych's wife, Olha; daughter, Marianna; son, Bohdan; and two granddaughters.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 22, 1997, No. 25, Vol. LXV

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