2017 May: Tribute to Pierre Soler, director of OMP

We have very sad news to share this week. Pierre Soler, the director of OMP, passed away following a sudden worsening of the illness he was suffering from.

Since the very beginning of his OMP directorship, Pierre was convinced that SPIRou was to be a key instrument for astronomy in general, and for the science team in France and in Toulouse in particular. For this very reason, Pierre has been incredibly helpful, supporting the IRAP / OMP team in their quest for funding the instrument, both locally (through the IDEX initiative in Toulouse) and France-wide (through his implication in the University agreement linking Toulouse, Paris, Grenoble and Marseille). In fact, without Pierre’s constant and efficient support, it is quite likely that SPIRou would never have come to life. Pierre was a member of the SPIRou Steering Committee (SSC) gathering executives from all SPIRou partners following regularly how SPIRou was progressing.

With his exceptional human qualities, Pierre was also a great friend to all those who happen to cross his path, and in particular to all members of the IRAP / OMP SPIRou team with whom he was often discussing, sharing with all his extended experience and thoughtful opinions. His conviviality and legendary good humour made him a man appreciated by all. The whole SPIRou team is deeply grateful to Pierre’s invaluable contribution to the project, and shares the pain of this loss of a great man who still had so much to offer. Sincere condolences to his family in this difficult time.