Professor Leopold Jeziorski was born on 30th November 1931 in Jaworzno and died on 19th August 2016 in Częstochowa. He graduated from the Faculty of Metallurgy at the Częstochowa University of Technology in 1957 and after that he continued working in an academic position for the rest of his life.

Professor Leopold Jeziorski was a pioneer of modern attitude in the field of materials science and engineering and one of the most influential creators of the concept of materials science in high education in Poland. A substantial part of his scientific career was focused on the area of novel surface engineering technologies  and, particularly, on the thermochemical treatment of steel and titanium alloys by fluorescent and plasma surface modification. His unquestionable achievements, which includes 120 original scientific publications based on the results of his own work, 90 papers published in the conference proceedings, co-authorship of 21 patents and numerous scientific research of great application importance, gives Professor Leopold Jeziorski an unique position in the field of materials science in Poland.

His research activity enabled him to create its own scientific school in the field of metallurgy and materials science at Częstochowa University of Technology, where he promoted 11 doctors and 3 associate professors who later became regular professors.

Professor Leopold Jeziorski has made a major contribution to the development of Częstochowa University of Technology being the Vice-Rector for Science, Head of the Department of Metallurgy, Head of the Materials Science Institute, Dean of the Metallurgy Faculty and Dean of the Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science in the years 1971-1982. His efforts and commitment has significantly strengthen the University personnel leading to the possibility to confer the DSc degrees in the field of metallurgy since the year 1980. Specialization in materials science opened in the year 1990 at the Częstochowa University of Technology was also his personal success. Five years later the Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Science at Częstochowa University of Technology obtained the right to confer PhD and DSc degrees in the field of materials science. Based on these achievements as well as bearing in mind his legacy to the materials science community, he was received the Doctor Honoris Causa degree from the Częstochowa University of Technology. Also the Polish Materials Science Society awarded  his the Honorary Membership for his outstanding achievements.

Professor Leopold Jeziorski has written more than 30 reviews of PhD theses, more than 20 reviews of habilitation dissertations, 14 opinions about the candidates for the professor or associate professor position and plenty of expert opinions of great scientific importance. He was a member of the Central Commission for Academic Titles and Degrees since the year 1995.

Materials science community in Poland owes much to Professor Leopold Jeziorski. He always favored ambitious young scientists and cared about the high level of scientific research as well as practical aspects of scientific results. His legacy is a body of work that will attract our interest for many years to come.

The materials science community has lost a great scientist, mentor and friend.