Herbert A. Laitinen, 1917-1 991 We take this space to celebrate, with utmost respect, the life of Herbert Augustus Laitinen, a pioneer in the evolution of analytical chemistry and Editor of this JOURNAL (1966-1979). Herb Laitinen was one of the many outstanding graduate progeny of Izaak Kolthoff at the University of Minnesota. Upon finishing his Ph.D. in 1940, Laitinen joined the faculty at the University of Illinois, where he taught inorganic and general chemistry for a few years and in 1947 began teaching analytical chemistry. There followed a truly distinguished career as a research scholar and educator. Many of his students now occupy prominent positions in research and education. In his 37 years at Illinois, Laitinen was an important force in defining the intellectual content of the analytical chemistry curriculum both at Illinois and nationally. In doing so, he helped to define the discipline as its emphasis changed from the analysis of various materials to the principles and methods of electrochemistry, spectroscopy, separations, and instrumentation. He led by example in his own teaching, and also by helping to attract the superb group of analytical chemistry scholars a n d teachers who have formed a continuing legacy for quality analytical chemistry at the University of Illinois. In 1960 Laitinen published a classic text, Chemical Analysis, that led the field of graduate instruction with its rigor and completeness. He published about 200 research papers, contributing substantially to the field of electroanalytical chemistry. In 1974 he accepted an appointment as Graduate Research Professor at the University of Florida. where he continued his re-
search and his active and influential role advising and lecturing on the life of our discipline. The excellence of his contribution was recognized in 1961 with the ACS Award in Analytical Chemistry. His devotion to teaching was recognized in 1986 by the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Excellence in Teaching Award. These are but two of the many honors bestowed upon him throughout his career. In 1966 Laitinen accepted the Editorship of this JOURNAL. All of us in the discipline of analytical chemistry owe him a great debt for his outstanding leadership as Editor. During his tenure, the JOURNAL became the leading scientific journal in analytical chemistry and also one of the most successful in the entire field of chemistry. To a great extent, this success can be attributed to Laitinen's distinctive abilities as a research scientist, dynamic leader, and organizer, and to his special talent in anticipating the rapid development of the science of modern analytical chemistry and in ensuring that the JOURNAL fostered this phenomenal growth. We recall most fondly the comment he made to his successor upon retiring as Editor at the end of 1979. "The thing I'm going to miss the most is writing my monthly editorial." One of his greatest legacies is his 168 editorials. To reread them is to fully appreciate the greatness of the man and his mark on our discipline. Herb Laitinen passed away at his home in Gainesville, FL, on March 22. He is survived by his wife Marjorie and three sons, Kenneth, Richard, and Roger. We extend deepest sympathy to his family and to all those who knew this man.
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