Professor emeritus Torbjörn Norin
Professor Emeritus Torbjörn Norin, of Bromma, Stockholm has died at the age of 86. The closest relatives are his wife Ingegerd, their children Martin, Elisabeth and their families. A daughter Magdalena died in 2009.
Torbjörn was born in Örnsköldsvik. He studied for a master's degree at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he also became a doctor of technology and associate professor in 1964, after which he continued his studies at the University of Oxford. He was appointed professor of organic chemistry and wood chemistry at KTH in 1969.
Torbjörn's research revolved around natural products. Early in his career he devoted himself to the study of chemical compounds isolated from conifers. Eventually, his interests widened. He was one of the initiators of a collaborative project between several Swedish institutions concerning insect pheromones, whose use in decoy traps is of crucial importance to the forest industry.
Another area that Torbjörn became interested in, and where he and his collaborating colleagues were pioneers, was the use of enzymes in organic synthesis.
Torbjörn created a stimulating environment at the department. His great interest and enthusiasm for research contributed to this and, not least, that he continued his predecessor Holger Erdtman's tradition of ensuring that many foreign students and researchers were invited to the department.
Torbjörn had great breadth in his knowledge. All students at the department benefited greatly from his broad view of the field of chemistry and this became an important part of their education. This also meant that he was frequently used as an examiner, not least as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Torbjörn was softly spoken and unpretentious and he did not put his own gain first. He loved science, and he enthusiastically shared new ideas. He was a good representative of the “old solid school”.
Professor Christina Möberg
Dr. Keith H. Baggaley
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