Sergey Vyazovkin

Our beloved, brilliant, beautiful, opinionated, grumpy, creative, hilarious, dramatic, kind, loving, witty, sarcastic, grounded, stubborn, and strong Sergey Vyazovkin died on February 22, 2026, in Birmingham, AL, at the age of 66, due to complications following a sudden cardiac arrest in November 2025.

Sergey was born on February 20, 1960, in Kazan, Russia, to Valentin Stephanovich Vyazovkin and Irma Vasyliovna Slavno. He graduated with honors from Belarusian State University and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1989. In 1983, he married his graduate school classmate, Alexandra Vyazovkina. Together they built a life grounded in deep partnership, joy, resilience, and adventure. In 1985, they welcomed their daughter, Polina.

After beginning his career at the Institute for Physical Chemistry in Minsk, Sergey sought broader opportunities abroad. In 1993, he accepted a position at the Technical University of Vienna in Austria, beginning a distinguished international career. He later held positions at the University of Toledo, the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, and the University of Utah, and served as Deputy Director of the Center for Thermal Analysis.

In 2001, he joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he became Professor of Chemistry and later Professor Emeritus. A globally respected expert in thermal analysis, Sergey’s research focused on thermally stimulated processes in condensed phase systems. He received the Mettler-Toledo Award in Thermal Analysis and the James J. Christensen Award in Calorimetry. He served as editor of Thermochimica Acta and was an active member of leading professional societies in chemistry and thermal analysis. His scientific achievements were a profound source of pride and joy.

Outside of work, Sergey loved traveling, long walks, good food, and a fine glass of beer or wine. He adored animals, told unforgettable stories, sported a famously handsome mustache, and made some of the best toasted sandwiches and coffee imaginable. He also had an artistic eye and captured the world in beautiful photographs.

He is survived by his wife, Alexandra Vyazovkina, and his daughter, Polina Vyazovkina. He was preceded in death by his father, Valentin Vyazovkin; his mother, Irma Slavno; and his stepmother, Tatyana Mishatkina.

Sergey will forever be loved and deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Front Range Equine Rescue (https://www.frontrangeequinerescue.org) or Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue (https://www.wildhorserescue.org).