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Tom Ziegler Obituary
Tom completed his M.Sc. in Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen in 1972 where he met his wife Vita (Liv) Pedersen and asked her to join him on his next adventure in Calgary, Alberta. Here he completed his PhD in Inorganic/Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Calgary in 1978 and was a professor in the Department of Chemistry since 1981. Tom received many awards, and some include the Alcan Lecture Award, Canada Council Killam Professor, Steacie Award, Royal Society of Canada, Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, Canada Research Chair, and the Schrodinger Medal. He attended and was a speaker at numerous conferences over the years. His passion for research was recognized by his international colleagues and former graduate students. Tom relaxed by enjoying history books and watching films. He and Liv travelled several times a year together and for the past 4 years, Tom had been working 3 months each spring in Germany as part of the Senior Humbolt Research Scholarship.
Tom is survived by his wife Liv Pedersen, son Helge Ziegler, daughter Signe (Jamie) Spence and grandchildren Erik and Mattias, whom he cherished very much. He is also survived by his older brother Flemming Ziegler and wife Lis in Denmark.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
8 Entries
Elzbieta and Robert Cook
April 5, 2015
Dear Liv,
Our hearts go out to you and your family. There are no words that can express how sad we were to hear of Tom's passing. We will cherish the memories of the group parties and the multicultural feasts at the ping-pong table!
Peter Margl
April 4, 2015
Liv, Signe & Helge,
Tom was a great mentor to me, and a good friend. I owe him much. My family will always remember him as a benefactor.
Love, Peter
A fancy evening out
Signe Spence
April 3, 2015
Yvonne Martinez
April 2, 2015
Liv I am sad to read this news tonight. I send you my condolences as you go through this difficult time. God bless and keep you.
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Linda Leonard
April 2, 2015
Dear Liv & family,
Thinking of you with sincere sympathy. May you find comfort in your happy memories. The Chemistry office staff will certainly miss our 'Danish Santa'.
April 2, 2015
Dear Liv, Signe and Helge,
I am so sorry for you most painful loss of a wonderful Husband and father. We so wish that life did not have such twists; may you find the strength and courage to remember the great times and experiences of life with him, his many gifts to you all and his great kindnesses
Love, Colleen and Eric
Joseph Li
April 2, 2015
I always admire Prof. Ziegler and hoped to work with you under your guidance. Somehow we did not have the chance. Reading your papers is always a joy. Thank you. May God be with you. May all your loved ones be blessed by Him.
John Cullen
April 2, 2015
I spent a 6 month sabbatical with Tom during 2010 and will always treasure the give and take weekly sessions we had where ideas and theory would be discussed, dissected and expounded upon. It was the most fruitful collaboration I have ever had with anyone and resulted in three scientific papers. I will miss those scientific discussions, his single mindedness,his gruff exterior but generous soul.
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