The Borexino collaboration mourns the passing of Frank Calaprice, one of the “fathers” of our experiment. In 2023 he received the prestigious Hans A. Bethe prize from the American Physical Society for his work on Borexino. He would have turned 86 on July 8th.
Frank Calaprice, with whom I shared thirty years of work on the Borexino experiment, has passed away. Frank was a physicist of rare distinction, deeply passionate about science and endowed with great intellectual integrity. He played a truly crucial role in the success of Borexino, bringing to the experiment — together with his group at Princeton — advanced purification technologies.
We spent thirty years pursuing the same goal, even if not always sharing the same ideas. But it was precisely through the exchange of differing views that the experiment was able to find better solutions. Frank never stepped back, not even during the most difficult times, when Borexino faced serious challenges. In those moments, we shared the courage, determination, and effort needed to carry forward an endeavor which was deemed almost impossible.
Sadly, the illness that struck him about three years ago prevented him from fully enjoying the success and recognition of the experiment. But I am certain that, wherever he is now, he has found a serenity deeper than what is generally granted to us.
Gianpaolo Bellini
Dear Colleagues, Friends,
It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Frank Calaprice. I had the privilege of meeting Frank in 1992 when I joined the Borexino collaboration. From our very first encounter, his passion for science was evident. I fondly remember our last long conversation about Borexino’s history over breakfast on the terrace in Arenzano during the 2017 ISAPP school.
Frank’s contributions to the Borexino experiment and the broader scientific community were immense.
On behalf of the Borexino group in Dubna, I extend our deepest condolences to Frank’s family, friends, and colleagues. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Oleg Smirnov
Dear Gianpaolo, dear colleagues,
I and the Kurchatov Institute group express our deepest condolences to Frank’s family, friends and colleagues. We hold best memories of Frank in our cooperation work in Borexino.
With deepest regret and sympathy,
Mikhail Skorokhvatov
NRC Kurchatov Institute
.