Lev Kofman passed away this morning. He was a great physicist, animated by passion and joy. I was last in his office, at CITA, two years ago. As usual, the conversation stretched across wide swaths of physics, governed only by Lev’s irrepressible enthusiasm and interest. He will be missed.
Lev Kofman: June 17, 1957 – November 12, 2009
We are deeply saddened to inform you that the fabulous Lev Kofman, husband of Anna, father of Sergei 13 and Maria 15, brother of Svetlana, and our great friend, died in the early morning of November 12 from cancer. Many of you were able to commune with Lev as the situation deteriorated over the past weeks, by visits, phone calls, and emails read to him. We are deeply grateful for that: and it provided some solace for Lev to know the tremendous impact he has had on the lives of so many of you.
He bravely kept the physics going strong throughout his illness, characteristic of Lev. His scientific outpourings and influence will transcend this passage. As you know, he made fundamental contributions to Lambda cosmology and dark energy, structure in the cosmic web, inflationary theory, its Gaussian and non-Gaussian aspects, and gravitational waves. He initiated and developed the theory of preheating, showing how all matter could arise from a coherent vacuum energy at the end of inflation, his cosmic baby. And much more besides. He was the quintessential leader, for CITA and CIFAR as a whole, and for the vibrant early universe group he established, providing inspirational guidance to a generation of young researchers.
He felt the physics to his very core. Beyond this, it is the indomitable, fun-loving, deeply philosophical spirit, a gourmand of life in all its manifestations, that we will miss so much.
With our best wishes in these sad times,
Anna Chandarina (Kofman)
Svetlana Kofman
Dick Bond
Andrei Linde
Renata Kallosh
November 13th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Нам бесконечно жаль!
November 13th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Какая утрата! Какая вопиющая несправедливость в том, что лучшие и светлые люди уходят так рано!
Дорогие Анна, Сергей, Мария и Светлана!
Примите наши соболезнования.
Вечная память!
Соученицы по 47 школе города Таллина
Анна Яковлева(Папай)
Татьяна Ронинсон (Уколенко)
November 13th, 2009 at 6:06 am
My condolences to Lev’s family…Lev meant a lot for our family both professionally and personally. We’re going to miss his light in this world.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:26 am
My condolences to Lev’s family, friends, colleagues and students.
This terrible loss can not be described and even thought through. He was an absolutely outstanding Man in all regards.
I am proud that I have known Leva at some moment of my life.
Gene Malkin
November 13th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Lev was a great and brilliant man. It’s a sad loss for his family, friends, physics, and the University of Toronto.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Our deepest condolences go out to you Anna, Maria and Sergei. We are deeply saddened by your loss. Lev’s presence – the soccer games, the fireworks, the humour, the spirit – will be greatly missed on Lincoln Avenue.
Such an enormous loss: of a brilliant man, a husband, a father. May his spirit live on in all of you.
Sincerely,
Brent, Kathy, Adam, Aaron and Sarah Groh
November 13th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I can’t believe that. Professor Kofman was a kind man to everybody. I visited him just three weeks ago, and appreciated his hospitality so much. We have missed his kindly presence, and wish he had a happy ending. Our deepest condolences to Lev’s family.
Sincerely,
Yifu Cai
November 13th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Wow, that’s a shock. I didn’t know he was ill. He was definitely an influential thinker, and will be missed.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Anna Possek and Igor Gitelman from Seattle are sending theis condolences to Lev’s family.
We were in TRU at the same time as Lev, participated in many student activities together: like students’ newspaper, cinema club, filosofy ring.
Bright and merry Lev was always a center of fun and laughter.
We will never forget him
November 13th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Dear Anya, Sergei, Masha and Sveta!
Just got this terrible news. We’ve known Leva since 1979. I well remember his first day at work in Toravere Observatory, our summer trips to Siberia, family visit to Princeton. The last time we met in Toronto this January. It’s hard to believe that he is no longer with us.
Please take our deepest condolences.
Lena and Sasha Marshak
November 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Дорогая Света,выражаем тебе наши соболезнования . Для тебя и всех нас,кто знал Левку это огромная утрата.
Светлая ему память!
Борис и Арина Бам.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I met Leva in August of 1974 just before the strangest exam that seemed to have been arranged just for the two of us. The regular entrance exams were over, corridors were echoing our every word and step, and we clearly had nothing to do with Biology, the exam we were about to take. He wanted to be a physicist, and I dropped applied mathematics the year before. We both did well at that exam.
Some months ago, with my colleague from Tartu sports medicine, we challenged Leva for a soccer game, reminding him of their lost game back in the 70’s – Physics vs. Medicine. We even offered to buy him a pair of cleats in case he could not remember what they look like… Leva won without playing, when he emailed back that he enjoys soccer with his students, every week.
Deepest condolences to Lev’s Family and Friends.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Lev was a brilliant physicist and a remarkable personality. Visiting CITA, you couldn’t help but find Lev’s humor and enthusiasm infectious. He had planned on being part of a workshop we’re holding in December, and only fairly recently realized he wouldn’t make it due to his illness. I didn’t realize, however, that things were so advanced, and am shocked to hear the news. He most certainly will be missed.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Südamest tulev kaastunne omastele! Parimad meist lahkuvad kõige varem.
Ljova endiste Tartu Observatooriumi kolleegide nimel
Tõnu Viik
November 14th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Kohtusime Ljovaga viimati eelmisel suvel kui ta Tallinnat külastas. Nagu ikka oli ta täis energiat ja entusiasmi, tundis huvi meie tegemiste vastu, arutasime koostöö võimalusi. Hiljem jätkus vestlus Skype vahendusel.
Eilne teade rabas meid kõiki – jah, parimad meist lahkuvad kõige varem. Aga Ljova tegemised jäävad.
Südamlik kaastunne lähedastele!
Jaan Einasto
November 14th, 2009 at 5:47 am
[...] formal tributes paid to Lev by people who knew him far better than me – there is an item on cosmic variance which is worth reading if you didn’t know much about him. For my part, I’ll just say [...]
November 14th, 2009 at 10:10 am
My thoughts go to his family. Talking with Lev, whether it was science or social, was always a joy and an education!
November 15th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Дорогие Анна, Сергей, Мария и Светлана!
Примите мои самые искренние и глубокие соболезнования по поводу трагической кончины Левы!
Я очень часто вспоминаю и буду помнить Леву, маткласс 15 школы Таллина и то время, когда мне посчастливилось бывать рядом с Левой.
Пожалуйста, держитесь.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Дорогоие Светлана, Анна, Сергей, Мария!
Потрясен смертью Левы.
Примите самые глубокие соболезнования.
Борис Рева
November 16th, 2009 at 4:41 am
Лев Кофман студентом слушал мои лекции по кантовой теории. После леций мы с ним обсуждали разные относящиеся к тематике вопросы. Он рассказал мне о некоторых идеях в квантовой астрофизике, которой он уже тогда занимался. По прошествии нескольких лет из этих бесед у меня возникло направление исследований по невозмущенческой теории многокватового распада сильных мод в твердом теле. Спасибо, Лев.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Как грустно устроена жизнь…
Кажется совсем недавно встретились в Таллинне и это страшное известие
Прощай Лева.
Наши глубокие соболезнования родным и близким.
Тамара и Александр Жарковский
November 16th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Dear Anna, Sergei, Maria and Sveta,
Please accept our deepest condolences.
I knew Leva for many years and cannot bring myself into believing he is gone… What a tragedy, what an unbearable loss…
May Sergei and Maria become a real reincarnation of Leva’s wisdom, his strength and his genius.
Many hugs to you.
Gene & Sonya Fichtenholz (California, USA).
November 16th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
It was shocking for me to learn about the untimely demise of a great
physicist Lev Kofman. I remember him coming to Zona B of Maocow state univ.
to Varun in 1979-183 on 5th floor where I was staying. I remember to chat
with him twice in varun’s room-504, Zona B. He was the best of the Zeldovich school. After the presentation of Lev’s diploma thesis, Zeldovich
said: ” ON UZHE GOTOVI UCHEHI”.
May his sole rest in peace. May God give courage to his family members
in this difficult time. Lev will live in our heats.
sami, Centre for theoretical physics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Был потрясён, узнав, что Лёвы больше нет с нами. Выражаю глубочайшее и искреннее соболезнование родным и близким, друзьям и коллегам. Учился вместе с Лёвой в матклассе 15 средней школы Таллинна, и до сих пор помню с какой увлеченностью и энтузиазмом Лёва обсуждал на переменах решение трудных задач из журнала “Квант”, заражая нас своей увлеченностью. Позже, когда учился на матфаке Тартуского университета, именно Лёва привёл меня на семинар в Институт Физики, что и определило мои научные интересы в дальнейшем. Лёва был великолепным, остроумным и эрудированным собеседником, замечательным другом. Узнав, что я начал учить французский, он подарил мне сборник стихов Paul Verlaine, который я и сейчас часто перечитываю. Тяжело говорить о Лёве в прошедшем времени. Еще раз соболезную горю родных и близких.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Ljova ilmus Tartu Füüsika Instituudi gravitatsiooniseminari 1978. aasta sügisel, kui oli alles üliõpilane – alati rõõmsameelne, teotahteline ja teadmishimuline. Tema seminariettekanded tabasid kosmoloogia tuuma ja seletasid lahti ka kvantväljateooria keerukusi.
Sügava kaastundega,
Piret Kuusk
November 17th, 2009 at 2:50 am
I first met Lev Kofman at gravitational seminars of the Tartu Institute of Physics in the fall 1978; he was then a atudent of the University of Tartu. His reports on problems of cosmology and quantum field theory were always very knowledgeable and clear.
With deep condolences,
Piret Kuusk
November 17th, 2009 at 5:06 am
Были потрясены,узнав о безвременной кончине Левы.Соболезнуем родителям,жене ,сестре и детям.
Семья Егоровых.
November 17th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Это чудовищно , что самые лучшие, светлые и талантливые уходят так безвременно!
Мы познакомились в веселом туристическом походе вокруг Чудского озера и всегда хранили самые лучшие воспоминания, мы снова встретились в Таллине в 2008-м и собирались встретиться в Торонто. Не встретимся…
Искренние соболезнования семье, близким и коллегам.
Дина Салганик
November 17th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Очень, очень жаль. Ушел блестящий и светлый ум.
Искренние соболезнования родным и близким.
Михаил Клопов
November 17th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Лева был ярчайшей личностью, вместившей в себя огромный талант ученого и художника.Он обладал невероятной работоспособностью и ответственностью за все, что делал.Лева очень любил свою семью, думал о ней всегда.
Ценил дружбу, дом его был открыт где-бы он не жил: в Тарту, в Принстоне, Гонолулу, в Торонто.
Для нас он был и останется незаменимым Другом.
Выражаем глубокое соболезнование родителям, сестре, жене и детям.
Елена&Юрий Колесниковы
November 17th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Самые глубокие и искренние соболезнования семье и близким Левы Кофмана!
Однокурсники Нелли Лапистова, Владимир Щербаков
November 17th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Dear Anya, Masha and Seryega,
My deepest condolences…I wish you strength
I was genuinely inspired whenever in Lev’s company, whether by his passion for life and its enjoyment, his unparalleled wit and sense of humor, or his devotion to his family. All my trips to Toronto were a thrill and such a pleasure thanks to Lev’s joie de vivre and warmth. Such a friend you meet once in life, a friend like Lev my mother and father will not have again.
When Lev was in Tallinn last summer he found the time and patience to help me with my paper on the applications of carbon nanotechnology. Lev engaged me in his wisdom, and encouraged me to stretch my own. He motivated me to draw from my mind something unique. Lev inspired me yet again.
Through my grief I realized just how profound an impact he has had on me, how full of life he was.
I will miss Lev so much.
November 18th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Дорогие Аня, Маша и Сережа, так больно и грустно…
В понедельник позвонила Лена Блюм с таким печальным известием. В первый раз увидела Леву больше 30 лет тому назад на филосифском семинаре Рема Наумовича Блюма. Круг замкнулся. Остался образ, высказывания, душа… Лева всегда и везде был самим сабой. Это удивительный дар. Искренне любил своих близких. И это дар. Такое четкое понимание и увлеченность именно своим делом, отсутствие суеты во всем и открытость жизни – Лева человек Возрождения, про него невозможно сказать – был.
Лена Рыбакова
November 20th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Искренние соболезнования всем , кому Левушка был дорог !