In the wake of the departed

Heinrich L. Vardenga 7.12.1933 - 12.05.2025

On 12 May, after a serious and prolonged illness, Heinrich L.Vardenga, a physicist, a poet, a man of a great soul and a loving heart, passed away. He was born in Georgia on 7 December, 1933. He started his career in 1960, after having graduated from the Faculty of Physics and postgraduate studies at Tbilisi State University, in the Department of Cosmic Rays of the LPI of the Georgian SSR. In 1962, he moved to Dubna and started working as a senior researcher at the Laboratory of High Energy Physics of JINR, where he was engaged in the investigation of decay properties of K⁰-mesons.

Heinrich Vardenga was one of the initiators of the synchrophasotron experiments, during which new data were obtained on the peculiarities of pion production in collisions of atomic nuclei. The results were the basis of his Ph.D. thesis that he successfully defended in 1988. He is the author and co-author of more than 60 scientific publications, of more than 15 popular science articles and of the book "The Universe of Particles" (co-authored with E.O.Okonov).

Yet, as he later wrote: "I have dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood". In 2000s, H.L.Vardenga was already widely known as a professional writer, an author of numerous publications of poems and translations from English and Georgian, including wonderful books for children.

Heinrich Vardenga took an active part in the public life of the Institute. In 1989-1994, he was elected Chairman of the Council of the Scientists' Club. In 1991, he was appointed Director of the JINR Museum of History of Science and Technology. Being one of the founders of the Museum, he did a great work on the development of the museum exposition and organization of the exhibition "Scientific and technological achievements of JINR in the Polytechnic Museum" in 1993. Since 2009, H.L.Vardenga worked as an advisor to JINR Directorate on cultural issues and later, as an advisor to the JINR Museum Director. He took an active part in the activities of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), participated in conferences and seminars of the Polytechnic Museum.

Heinrich Vardenga's labor activity was marked by numerous well-deserved awards: the Medal "Veteran of Nuclear Power Engineering and Industry", governmental award - the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 2nd class, Honorary diploma, Diploma and Letter of Thanks of JINR, Honorary Diploma of Head of Dubna.

In our memory Heinrich Vardenga will stay forever as an example of a gifted, noble, charming man, a devoted friend and a loving father. We deeply grieve and sincerely condolence to his family, relatives and friends.

JINR Directorate, colleagues, friends