The death of Theodoros Varopoulos


Following the death of Theodoros Varopoulos on 14 June 1957 various announcements by his family, the University of Thessaloniki appeared. The University Senate and the School of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Thessaloniki also passed resolutions at extraordinary meetings. We give version below based on Melissa Iacovidou's translation of various Greek documents:
  1. Announcement by Aliki Varopoulos and Nikolaos Varopoulos.

    It is with great grief that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Theodoros A Varopoulos, Professor of the "Aristoteleion University" of Thessaloniki. His funeral will take place today, Saturday 15th of June, at 11am, in the church of Holy God"s Wisdom.

  2. Announcement by the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki.

    Professor Theodoros Varopoulos has passed away. The funeral will take place today at 11am. Professor Theodoros Varopoulos, of the School of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Thessaloniki, died yesterday at the public hospital of our city, where he was hospitalised suffering from stomach cancer. The announcement of his death, which was circulated yesterday at 2pm, caused deep grief in the university circles and especially in the mathematics community of our city. Having studied at the University of Athens, and further educated in Paris, he was initially appointed as a secondary school teacher, and later, having published several papers, he was named as a professor at the university of the capital city, and, in 1931, he was transferred to the School of Mathematics and Physics of the highest educational foundation of our city [Thessaloniki], a position he held until his death. He was an internationally renowned mathematician, having represented our country in global conferences etc. During his 28-year-long service at our city's university, he was highly regarded by his colleagues, for his level of education and especially for his modesty, which was the main characteristic of his life. Varopoulos' body will be taken to Athens today, where his burial will take place. The funeral service will be held here today at 11am, at the Bishopric Church.

  3. Resolutions of the Senate of the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki.

    The Senate of Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki having been extraordinarily convened upon the grave announcement of the death of Theodoros A Varopoulos, Professor of the School of Mathematics and Physics, a prominent scientist, former Dean of the School, and former member of the Senate, hereby decides:

    (i) That the funeral of the deceased will be honorary, at the expense of the university,

    (ii) That the university"s flag will be flown at half-mast for three days,

    (iii) That the university stops all operations during the funeral,

    (iv) That the Senate, the professors, and the staff of the university attend the funeral,

    (v) That the Rector of the university deposits a wreath on the coffin of the deceased,

    (vi) That the Rector expresses the condolences of the Senate to the family of the deceased,

    (vii) That the picture of the deceased is hanged in the university"s hall of ceremonies,

    (viii) That a representative of the school addresses the last words to the deceased, and

    (ix) That this resolution is published through the press of Thessaloniki and Athens.

    4. Resolutions of the School of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Thessaloniki.

    The School of Mathematics and Physics of the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, having been extraordinarily convened today on the grave announcement of the untimely death of one of its oldest members, Professor Theodoros Varopoulos, a distinguished member, a professor of the 1st permanent chair of mathematical science, who contributed the most in educating mathematicians, former Dean and former member of the Senate, hereby decides:

    (i) That the School stops all operations on the day of the funeral,

    (ii) That the teaching staff and students attend the funeral,

    (iii) That the warm condolences to the family of the deceased are expressed,

    (iv) That a wreath is deposited on the coffin of the deceased, and

    (v) That his picture is hung in the mathematics study room, and I Anastasiades is assigned to read the obituary.

    (vi) That this resolution should be published through the press of Athens and Thessaloniki.

Last Updated January 2019