It is with sadness that we report that long-term Sussex colleague and former Head of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Professor Peter Thomas, passed away last weekend at the age of 62.
Peter, who joined the University in 1989, was Professor of Physics and Astronomy. He completed his PhD on cooling flows and galaxy formation at the University of Cambridge, and joined Sussex after two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics.
During the 35 years Peter worked at Sussex he held many key roles, including Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Director of Teaching and Learning in MPS, and Head of the School of MPS. Peter approached all of these roles without hesitation, and with integrity and skill. He retired on the grounds of serious ill health at the end of April this year, after a leave of absence.
Peter’s main research interests were around galaxies and their formation, including semi-analytic models of galaxy formation, simulating the formation of galaxies and simulating clusters of galaxies. You can see a list of Peter’s many publications on his staff profile page.
Peter was a well respected and much liked member of MPS who created a rich, lasting legacy in both teaching and research.
Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil said: "I was very saddened to hear of Peter’s passing. Although we only worked together for a few months, I valued his deep knowledge of his subject and of Sussex, and, overwhelmingly, his humanity. I extend my sympathies to Peter’s family, and my thoughts are with his former colleagues, particularly those in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, who will be feeling his loss very deeply.”