Prof. Lech Kobyliński, doctor honoris causa of Gdańsk Tech, is gone | Gdańsk University of Technology

Professor Lech Kobyliński was born on 1 May 1923 in Vilnius. He was associated with Gdańsk University of Technology since 1945, initially as a student, and since 1948 as its employee. It is here that he went through all the faculty positions at the university and it is also here where he obtained all his academic degrees. During his many years of work at Gdańsk Tech, although the professor's activity went far beyond its walls, he became known as an outstanding scientist, engineer and good organizer. Representing the Shipbuilding Faculty of Gdańsk University of Technology for many years, he contributed to raising the prestige of the university on the forum of all major maritime countries of the world.

The professor co-created the Polish and world school of ship hydromechanics, international rules of ship stability and maritime traffic safety. He constructed the first hydrofoil "Zryw" (Dash) (1965) and a series of experimental units on an air cushion (1960–1966). At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, he actively worked to establish the Foundation for the Safety of Shipping and Environmental Protection with its seat in Iława, known as the "Captain's School". The goal of the foundation is to conduct research and training in the field of ship maneuvering in the Ship Maneuvering Research and Training Center, which was established in Iława during this period, also thanks to the professor’s effort. Over the years, this center (currently on Lake Slim in Kamionka near Iława) has become a leading training center in the world, using technology based on large manned ship models. Moreover, the professor was also a correspondent member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and a scientific secretary at the branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Gdańsk. In the years 1959–2016 he chaired the Technical Council of the Polish Ship Register (honorary chairman since 2017). He was the author of over 280 publications, a supervisor of 32 doctors and a co-creator of 17 patents.

During World War II (since 1942) prof. Lech Kobyliński was a soldier of the People's Guard (renamed the People's Army in 1944). He participated in the Warsaw Uprising as the commander (pseudonym "Konrad") of the 4th "Czwartaków" battalion, fighting in Wola, the Old Town and Żoliborz. Until July 1945, he worked in the General Staff of the Polish Army, where he was promoted to the rank of major. In 1950–1952 he served in the Navy, he was a lecturer at the Naval Officers' School and a constructor at the Design Office of the Naval Shipyard in Gdynia, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander.

Among the numerous awards of prof. Kobyliński there are: honorary honoris causa doctorate of the Leningrad Shipbuilding Institute (1988), of the Naval Academy in Gdynia (1990) and of Gdańsk University of Technology (2004) for: "merits in ship design, outstanding services for introducing into science the knowledge about ship hydromechanics, ship stability and marine traffic safety, active promotion of Gdańsk University of Technology in Poland and in the world, especially in the field of: ocean engineering, nautics. He was a promoter of many engineers and doctors who developed the shipbuilding industry in Poland. As a professor and citizen, he devoted his entire life to giving the best possible testimony to the truth, to the dear motherland, and to overcoming difficulties for the good of the Polish nation”.

The professor was awarded the Order of Virtuti Militari IV class, the Cross of Valor, the "Pro Mari Nostro" Cross, the Commander's Cross with the Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta and other state, regional, departmental and military decorations. He was also a laureate of the CEMT award (Confederation of European Maritime Technology Association), and the laureate of the Medal of A. Krylov.

Funeral ceremonies will take place on Wednesday, 2 February at 1.30 pm at the Srebrzysko Cemetery in Gdańsk.