Sergei Kuzmin

I got acquainted with Sergey Kuzmin in the late seventies when, as an evening student of the Department of Theoretical Physics of the I.I. Mechnikov Odesa University, he chose theoretical physics as a specialization at the final stage of his studies. I am writing about it because such specialization presupposed that the applicant already had a sufficiently extensive knowledge of the fundamentals of physics combined with a good understanding of its mathematical methods and elementary skills of their non-trivial applications. Naturally, evening students who combine full-time work during the day with attending classes at the university in the evenings usually cannot achieve such a qualification. Sergei could. At that time and later, I headed the Department of Theoretical Physics of the mentioned university for over forty years, but there were maybe one or two more such cases in my practice. At that, I remember that Sergey was one of his year's best, if not the best, graduates. Then, we worked together for more than ten years at the Department of Theoretical Physics. Among the staff and students of the department, Sergei stood out for his delicacy, restraint, and good manners combined with a relaxed demeanor, openness, humor, and friendliness to others. At the same time, he was a thoughtful, responsible, reliable employee whose work did not need to be controlled or regulated. He always tried to find the best option when solving work issues, and if he undertook to help his colleagues, he did it with maximum dedication. It cannot be said that Sergei's life was cloudless during this period. His creative scientific potential could not fully manifest itself because of external circumstances and difficulties. Later, when Sergey and his family had already left Odesa, from the reports of colleagues and mutual acquaintances, confirmed in a telephone conversation with Sergey in the mid-noughties, I could conclude that his life was also successful in this respect. Sergey Kuzmin was an outstanding, deep, engaging, creative personality who left an indelible trace in many people's hearts and good memories.

We knew Sergei for almost 25 years. He was one of our closest friends, my husband’s and son’s godfather, a trusted advisor on all issues that one might need advice on, a talented teacher and scientist and simply a wonderful person. We will miss Sergei a lot. We’ll miss him during family gatherings and stimulating conversations about science and other interesting topics, outdoor picnics and hiking trips. But, we will cherish the memories of Sergei and his time with us forever. Царствие небесное.

Professor Kuzmin was erudite, meticulous, witty, and kind. To be honest, I did not expect such a learned professor to be so delightful, straightforward, and easygoing. Our meeting was brief yet final; in the summer of 2024, we had the privilege of meeting Professor Kuzmin and his wife, Professor Natasha, and spent a pleasant time together. Two months later, it was heartbreaking to learn that he passed away after a severe illness. Professor Kuzmin will be forever remembered!

A learned scholar he was, A tireless teacher, A kindly elder, And a friend beyond years. Farewell on your journey. 近泪无干土，低空有断云

Being Dr. Kuzmin’s student and having the opportunity to discuss problems with him has been one of the luckiest things that has happened to me and a true privilege. He was not only an incredible professor to me but also a mentor who changed my perspective. I often talk about him with my friends and family because of the profound impact he has had on me. He was always patient and guiding in his lectures and email responses, thoroughly answering my questions and thoughtfully commenting on my problem-solving process—from early mornings around 6 or 7 a.m. to midnight. He turned Math 1600, a first-year math course, into a legendary class. His teaching method focused on foundational theoretical proofs, a technique that has even changed the way I see things in everyday life: reasoning, evidence, and ultimately, truth. During breaks, he would share stories from his youth and past experiences, talk about his beloved family and cottage, and mention his impressive mushroom-picking skills. He has left me with countless unforgettable memories. May he rest in peace. I will remember him always.

Our family has known Sergei since 2000; we lived in London for 6 years and got to know the Russian community. We became especially close to Sergei’s family after our friends Dmitri and Evguenia, and their children Timour and Nadia were baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church of Christ The Saviour In London. Sergei and Natasha became their godparents, and my wife Eugenia became the godmother of their daughter Nadia. So it was as if we all became related, and came to each other as if to our own home. Sergei and Natalia's house by the lake was very warm and welcoming. There, one could relax both physically and mentally and discuss important issues and matters. Sergei always cared about his students, family and friends. He loved children very much and came up with interesting activities like hikes in the forest, mushroom picking tours, swimming and kayaking on lake Huron, intellectual games, and gatherings around the fire. And the children also loved him very much - our youngest son Nikolai, like all of us, always admired Sergei’s ability to chop wood with an axe, make a fire, and of course Sergei’s beard and overall appearance. I wanted to share one personal story: last year I was visiting Sergei and Natasha on the Bruce Peninsula for the weekend and broke my leg while swimming on the rocky shores. I asked Sergei to help when the pain worsened towards night, and he brought me to the hospital in the middle of the night. Although the hospital staff did not let him in, Sergei waited outside for 3 hours. That night we slept only 2 hours but the next morning Sergei brought us to the hospital again for more tests. What words come to mind when describing Sergei: sincere, close, touching, cheerful, wise, and at the same time strong, healthy, bright, freedom-loving, decisive, uncompromising. We have lost such a wonderful person, may he always be remembered. Igor Vovk and family

Sir Kuzmin was my math 1229 professor back in 2018. He was an amazing professor and will be dearly missed. He always use to say in class “my granddaughter can do this math problem”. I still remember to this day. Rest in peace professor Kuzmin.

A great and excellent professor, he will be greatly missed. 🕯️R.I.P

I‘m really lucky to meet such a good professor. He taught my two courses, math1229 and 1600 last year. He has a humorous lecture style , he likes to write a lot on the blackboard and make friends with students. Every time no matter how late it is, he replies to students‘ emails as soon as possible. Sergei is really the best professor I have ever met. I was sad for a long time to hear that the professor passed away，When I was in the classroom where math1229 was in class, the figure who put his pocket with one hand, liked to wear plaid clothes and held chalk always came to my mind. I hope there is no disease in heaven, and there are infinite mushrooms you like to eat.

I was lucky to be Sergey's colleague for the past years. Every time I met him, his cheerfulness would make my day lighter. Knowing his colorful personality, love for life and devotion to educating young people added to my own life experience and my appreciation and love for life.

Rest in Pease, Old friend.

Dr. Kuzmin was my professor in Applied Mathematics 420 at Western over two decades ago. Initially an intimidating, and perhaps even a terrifying figure, my classmates and I eventually figured out that he had a big heart and was not someone to be afraid of. Which could not be said for his exams. Even at the undergraduate level, his final exam contained questions that could lead to publication if solved (and one of my classmates in fact did publish his exam solution for this course). This man later became my colleague, and it was an extreme and surreal honour to work with Sergei at King's for the last 12 years. He continued to have high standards in his testing of students, requiring formal proofs and asking "interesting" (a.k.a. very challenging) problems even in first year linear algebra (math 1600). But he never left students to struggle on their own. His teaching method was very interactive, with constant communication between him and his students. He would email students back and forth about problem sets, old tests, and challenge problems. He kept simultaneous email conversations going between dozens of students at a time, especially as tests approached. I don’t know when he slept, as he seemed to work 24/7. Sergei catered to the serious students (whether struggling, excelling, or anything between) with a deep desire to learn, and for anyone who accepted this individualized form of teaching, Sergei set a standard that was daunting for other instructors to try to match. His methods were "old school" but, for those who persisted, these methods were extremely effective. There are stories that his recent students will share with future students, and some may not be believed. Stories of exams with unlimited time that nobody can finish. Stories of someone asking a question during class only to be given chalk then guided to answer their own question at the front of the (large) class. Stories of someone bringing a 40% quiz to his office hours to lament their poor performance and seek help, only to be congratulated for scoring one of the highest marks in the class (and yes, he always later adjusted such scores against the standards expected for the course, i.e. he did not penalize students for being unable to complete problems that he knew were too difficult. He still asked these questions because he felt it a kind of crime to not provide testing at a high enough level to challenge all students). Some of these stories will hopefully be passed on as legends and lore, keeping the memory of Dr. Kuzmin alive.

I remember Sergey from my student years. He was always an energetic, cheerful person with a very good humor. Sergey always helped not only with words but also with deeds to everyone who turned to him. I remember how he helped me a lot when I was a postgraduate student in the Department of Theoretical Physics at Odessa University in the late 1980s. A good friend and a very good physicist and teacher. I am very sad to hear he passed away. My deepest condolences to Natasha and all the family.

I was so saddened to hear of Sergei passing. We became fast friends in 2008 when we both worked at Huron University College, and along with Natalie, Sergei became a regular at my summer soirees and Christmas gatherings. He always engaged me and my guests in both intellectual and crazy discussions that we so enjoyed. I was so proud to call him my friend. Natalia and family, by deepest sympathies go out to you. Your hearts are very heavy now, and life will never be the same. I hold you deep in my own heart and hope that this provides some measure of comfort during a very sad time.

As an undergraduate and PhD student at end of 80s I remember so vividly a tall long haired fast moving young man with a loud laugh, when I was entering theoretical physics research lab at Odessa University. That was Sergey. Somehow, he always radiated energy and positiveness. He was not only a good scientist but a very talented manger too. And, he was always helping people. Then they moved to Canada and I stayed back in Odessa, we kept in contact, and I remember that they would send me some medical literature for my mom’s illness or some scientific paper I could not find. Later, when I moved to the Netherlands and after to UK, we had hours and hours of telephone conversations on all topics from everyday life to science. I was always amazed by Sergey’s ability to see problems so clearly and able to provide an advice, help and encouragement in every situation. He was always a source of some unexplainable young energy which he generously shared with people. In science, he was looking for the most fundamental aspects and was not concerned by opinions of scientific authorities. His and Natalia’s work on gravity is fascinating not only by itself, but also how it happened in spite on various resistance. His passion for the scientific rigour inspired people. I had a privilege to stay several times in their house in Canada. Sergey was an amazing host – you would be so much at ease at their house that you simply would not want to leave and wish your holiday would continue and continue. And, he was a fantastic guest too! I will always cherish the memory of his and Natalia’s visit to me in UK. I remember how Sergey was helping to paint my garden bench, his passionate research seminar, his love to Einstein’s scientific heritage, our trips where we went to look for a forgotten house of one of Einstein’s colleagues in the Lake District and how Sergey surprised local museum curators, that tourists from Canada know so much about a forgotten British scientist. Thank you, Sergey, for your friendship. I will miss you dearly, but I am sure you are with us somewhere in the gravity fields of the Universe.

I express my deepest sympathy in this time of sorrow. The Bible gives a comforting hope that your loved one will come to life again on a beautiful paradise earth when death will be no more in John 5:28, 29 and Revelation 21:4.

Indeed, Sergei will stay in our hearts forever. A good friend, a very nice person, and a very good physicist and teacher. Out deepest condolences to Natasha and all the family. We mourn with you. Zemlya pukhom.

I knew Sergei since late 1980s, when we both worked for Odesa University in Ukraine. He was a great friend, aways generous, cheerful and kind. He was a very good scientist, hard-working and knowledgeable. I am very sad to hear he passed away. He left a big family and many friends. We all will cherish his memory. My sincerest condolences to Natasha, Julia, Adam and the grandchildren.