11 Feb 2014
We are sad to have to report that Prof François Schué passed away on January 31 this year.
François' contribution to the Society and our publishing partner Wiley is manifest in the global reputation of the SCI journal Polymer International. François was invited to become Editor-in-Chief of the journal in 1996 and his subsequent impact is legendary. He was particularly talented at commissioning papers for Polymer International and enjoyed networking with polymer scientists across the globe, especially at conferences like the World Polymer Congress (MACRO). He diligently and enthusiastically used his connections and scientific reputation to source papers of the highest quality for the journal and to recruit an editorial board of internationally recognised gravitas.
An example of François' dedication to his work as Editor-in-Chief is how he worked, single-handedly at a critical time for the journal, to evaluate all manuscripts submitted to Polymer International between May and October 2007; his work ensured that the Journal continued to prosper through a difficult period. This work was highly appreciated by all at SCI and at Wiley, and by members of the journal Executive Editorial Board. Even in more recent times, when François was battling ill health, his incredible dedication to Polymer International shone through and he continued to invite authors to write for the Journal as recently as July 2013.
François became a member of SCI in 1997 and was a member of the Environmental Health and Safety and Materials Chemistry Groups. He was also an active member of the Publications Advisory Committee and he made the long journey from his home in Montpellier to attend meetings at SCI where his thoughtful contributions were much valued. Even when dogged by bad health he made every effort to contribute to the work of PAC.
François' work for the journal and for PAC was justifiably recognised by the SCI's Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
All who knew François will remember him as a true gentleman and friend and he will be much missed by all his colleagues at Polymer International, Wiley and SCI. Our condolences go to his widow Rossitza.
Dr Peter Hambleton
Chair, Publications Advisory Committee
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