Ralph Skomski, a research full professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, passed away April 10, 2022.
After receiving his PhD from the Technical University Dresden, he began working at the university as a visiting assistant professor in 1998 and had been promoted to his current position by 2012. He was a polymer physicist by education and later switched to magnetism. Widely known for his theoretical work in permanent magnetism and analytical magnetic modeling, with two authoritative books, he pioneered the understanding of three-dimensional magnetic nanocomposites and is an expert in magnetic-anisotropy and crystal-field theory.
He was an active, gifted theoretical researcher, working for many years with David Sellmyer. At Nebraska, he focused on the theory of magnetic nanostructures with the main aim of modeling the behavior of nanostructures and to making predictions about conceivable but difficult-to-produce materials. He published over 425 papers, books, and book chapters and was cited more than 17,000 times.
"He was the most highly-regarded theorist in the world and uniquely collaborated closely with experimentalists," Jeffrey Shield, professor in the College of Engineering, said. "He was a virtual walking encyclopedia and routinely referenced papers published 50-60 years ago."
At the 26th International Workshop on Rare Earth and Future Permanent Magnets and Their Applications (REPM2021), Skomski received an achievement award for outstanding contributions in the science and development of permanent magnets. He was recognized for being a champion for the students and junior scientists he mentors, and especially supporting women in achieveing their professional goals.
He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and a member of the editorial boards of IEEE Magnetic Letters, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, and Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials.
"He is someone who has profound physical insight into problems, based on a sound understanding of statistical and quantum mechanics," J.M.D. Coey, a professor at University of Dublin, wrote in a letter to the APS. "He engages happily with experimentalists and helps them make the most of their data by developing transparent analytical models, which capture the essential physics of the problem. This is of course exactly what physicists are expected to do, but Ralph does it outstandingly well!"
Skomski is survived by his mother, one brother, and his son, Daniel.
There will be no public memorial service. A closed, private family service will be held at a later date.
