Int'l scientific community mourns Nobel laureate's death in Manila

Despite the importance and widespread impact of his work, Nobel Laureate for Chemistry Prof. Richard F. Heck died—allegedly spurned and almost penniless—in Manila on October 9.

 

On both sides of the globe, the impact of his loss has been keenly felt.

 

"His pioneering research changed the world in many fields, including pharmaceutical manufacture and discovery, DNA sequencing and electronics," wrote the University of Delaware (UD), where Heck had taught for 18 years before retiring to the Philippines in 1989.

 

While at the university, Heck would go on to discover the Heck Reaction, which would eventually win him the Nobel Prize that he shared with Drs. Ei-ichi Negishi and Akira Suzuki.

 

"(Heck's) discovery revolutionized the way that chemists make molecules," UD assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry Mary Watson was quoted as saying.

 

"His groundbreaking work demonstrates how scientific inquiry can have a profound effect on the everyday lives of us all," added UD Acting President Nancy M. Targett. 

 

Meanwhile, half a world away in his adopted home country, Filipino scientists also expressed deep sadness over Heck's passing.

 

"The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) mourns with the international chemistry community on the passing of Professor Heck," the country's official organization of chemistry professionals wrote on its website over the weekend. 

 

The ICP lauded Heck for his passion in teaching and inspiring young chemists, even going out of his way to meet and talk science with high school kids. 

 

"It is important that science must be done because you love it, not just because you make a lot of money," the ICP quoted Heck as telling his young audience.

 

In an email sent to GMA News Online, University of the Philippines (UP) Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gisela Concepcion said that plans are underway for a special memorial service in Heck's honor within the week.

 

Concepcion is also scheduled to deliver a euology tonight, October 12, on behalf of UP and the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) at Heck's wake at Imperial Chapel, La Funeraria Paz, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. His interment will be tomorrow, Tuesday, at 10 a.m.

 

Despite his international acclaim and eminence in the scientific community, Heck died in relative obscurity in Manila. Sick and vomiting, he was allegedly turned away by a private hospital due to unpaid bills. He died shortly thereafter. — GMA News