Alberto was a high class researcher, a wonderful person and a dear friend. We will all miss his smile.
Added: April 29, 2012
Name: Mathieu Van Vyve From: Belgium E-mail: Contact
Last times I came to Aussois I brought my touring skis. I had hoped we could do this together around Aussois, but you told me that you find ski touring too dangerous because of avalanche risk. Si my plan was to bring crampons next time. There will be no next time, in Aussois or elsewhere, for mountaineering or the many things you were gifted for. Life, as nice as it is, is going to be a little less nice without you.
Because of the chronic lack of space at DEIS, Alberto and I shared a cubicle first, and an office later, for 18 years. It all started in 1994 when I was a master student and ended two days before he took off for his last hike. That was one of those mysterious cases of living in Italy in which some annoying inefficiency turns into an opportunity. These 18 years have been a joy, a privilege and an amazing trip. Unfortunately, a short one.
It is very hard to absorb this tragedy. All of us touched by Alberto will sorely miss his friendship, his adventurous spirit, his humor, and his scholarly contributions to our community. Aussois will certainly not be the same without Alberto's 'Berlusconi Report', without hearing of his afternoon adventures, without chatting with him at dinner, without hearing about his latest research results.
I'll miss you, Alberto. Your fun talks with the latest Italian gossips. Your passion of mountains. Your many creative ideas. You revived my interest in extended formulations with your permutahedron question at Oberwolfach in 2008 (where, as you said, you went despite the fact that there are no real mountains around). I'll publish the paper in your honor. Sincere condolences to your family. Addio.
Added: April 28, 2012
Name: Gerhard Woeginger From: Eindhoven E-mail: Contact
I miss you.
Half the fun of the Aussois meetings was to see the last slide of your talk (with your comments on Berlusconi).
Such a sad, sad, loss. Alberto was both a brilliant scholar and the life of the crowd at meetings and conferences. No one ever dozed off during one of Alberto's lectures! And if you had the pleasure to go on a walk or hike with him, then you quickly had your week's quota of exercise before Alberto even broke a sweat. Alberto, keeping hiking in peace.
I join the sorrow of those who will miss a reliable. courageous, warmhearted friend and a brilliant, witty colleague. Over the years Alberto had reached a level hard to match on my scale of personal sympathy and professional admiration. -- Tom
From: Bologna
E-mail: Contact