Jack Halpern

I was very sad to learn that Professor Jack Halpern had passed away. When I was a graduate student at the University of Akron, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by professor Halpern on the molecular catalytic hydrogenation of olefins at Western Reserve University.
-Christos P. Tsonis

My father Dr. Carl Winkler often spoke of Jack over the years. He was his Ph.D student in the Chemistry Dept at McGill University in Montreal must have been in the early 50s. He always said Jack would go far which is indeed what happened. I saw Jacks In Memoriam in the McGill News.

I knew Jack as a valued colleague at UBC Chemistry. I had heard rumours about his offer from Chicago in 1962. I assured him that he would soon get many other offers, and they flooded in. He was one of those rare scientists who could distill a problem down to its essence. My wife and I enjoyed a visit with Jack and Helen in their 'fortress'Chicago home and art gallery. I'm honoured to have known him.

I met Jack in 1960 when he gave a seminar in Oxford - he offered me a postdoc at UBC, and my subsequent scientific career and family life developed entirely from my 2-years at UBC in 1960-62. Indeed, his move to Chicago led to my appointment at UBC in 1964. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members.