In Memoriam Wim Nieuwpoort (1931-2024)

We are saddened to announce that Professor Emeritus Wim Nieuwpoort passed away on September 4, 2024, at the age of 93.

Professor Nieuwpoort was a leading figure in theoretical chemistry. He served as a professor at the University of Groningen from 1968 to 1996. He was instrumental in the founding of the Materials Science Centre in 1970, now known as the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. His work in computing played a crucial role in establishing the national supercomputing infrastructure of the Netherlands, as well as within the Zernike Institute at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Known for his wisdom, openness, and friendly demeanor, he treated everyone as equals and was always available to offer advice and support. He lived independently until the end, maintaining his sharp mind and keen interest in science, society, and people.

Nieuwpoort studied chemistry at the University of Amsterdam from 1953 to 1959 and subsequently began his PhD research at Philips Natuurkundig Laboratorium (NatLab) in Eindhoven. A significant part of his research was conducted in the United States, at institutions such as Purdue University, the University of Chicago, and Argonne National Laboratories (1960-1963). During this time, he gained experience with advanced computational systems for quantum chemistry, particularly through the work of Professor Roothaan at the University of Chicago. In 1965, he defended his dissertation, Charge Distribution and Chemical Bonding in the Metal Carbonyls Ni(CO)₄, [Co(CO)₄]^- and [Fe(CO)₄]^2-: A Non-Empirical Approach, which was the first ab initio study of organometallic compounds.

In 1968, Nieuwpoort joined the University of Groningen, first as a lecturer in theoretical chemistry, and shortly after was promoted to professor. During the 1980s, he became a pioneer in the development of a national infrastructure for scientific computing in the Netherlands, leading efforts such as the Working Group on Supercomputers (1983) and chairing the influential ZWO/NWO Committee on Scientific Use of Supercomputers from 1985 to 1998. His impact on national chemistry continued throughout his career; he was a member of the General Board of the KNCV (Royal Netherlands Chemical Society) from 1966 to 1970 and served as chairman of its Inorganic and Physical Chemistry section in 1973. In recognition of his contributions, he was named a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion in April 1997.

After retiring, Nieuwpoort remained active in the field, particularly in research involving computational methods. In 1997, he served as Interim Director of SARA (now SURFsara) and from 1997 to 2007, chaired the Board of the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Groningen.

In December 2010, the NWO Foundation for National Computer Facilities (NCF) and SARA established the Wim Nieuwpoort Award in his honor, promoting large-scale parallel computing on Dutch supercomputer systems. Additionally, the local computer cluster used by the theoretical materials science groups at the University of Groningen bears his name.