It is with the deepest sadness and sorrow that we announce the unexpected death on 08 September 2012 of our friend and colleague Fernando González-Jiménez, Professor of the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) and a recognized researcher of the Latin American Mössbauer community.

Fernando González-Jiménez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on 02 September 1941. He graduated in Physics from University of Paris in 1965, obtained the third cycle doctorate in 1971 and the state doctorate in 1974 from University Paris XI. Since 1966 he was member of the Physics Department staff at UCV and retired in 1998, although he continued working very actively as the Head of the Laboratory of Magnetism.

Professor Fernando González-Jiménez held directive positions in diverse Venezuelan and International organizations for the promotion of science. His research interest were aimed towards the applications of Mössbauer effect on fields like magnetism in rare earth compounds and alloys, magnetism in iron compounds and alloys, catalysts for the improvement of heavy crude oils, characterization of iron minerals and magnetic and electronic properties of low dimensional systems.

His friends and colleagues will always remember him by his permanent activity, enthusiasm, affability and as a good host and the master of paella in the celebrations.

We all shall miss him. Our thoughts are with his family.

L. D’Onofrio