TO THE MEMORY OF VLADIMIR GONCHAROV

 I remember quite well the moment when I received the terribly sad news that Volodya is not any more. I simply could not believe that he was gone. He was not old at all, very active, energetic, and so much loved life, mathematics, music, travel…  He was in the prime of his mathematical activities, was pretty satisfied with his life in Portugal, with his work, etc.  His unexpected death hurt so strongly his family, his dear friends and colleagues, and everybody who closely knew him.

I had known Vladimir for many years. I liked to discuss mathematics with him, although we had written only one joint paper that actually became rather popular.  He was a perfectionist in mathematics. His mathematical style was the one I like the most: strong and original ideas were combined with a careful work on all the details, the desire to understand everything to the very end, pursuing harmony and beauty, which are so crucial for a real mathematician. It is not accidental that Volodya was such a fan of classical music, which is also based on harmony and beauty.  Besides this, he was deeply interested in history, literature, languages, etc.

Volodya lived a bright, fruitful, remarkable while short life. He was an outstanding mathematician and a wonderful human being. We all will remember him more and more, more and more.

It is great that his colleagues prepared his book for publication and organized this conference in his memory.  Thanks for this!

Boris Mordukhovich

Ann Arbor, Michigan                                                      November 15, 2018