Rest in peace, Joachim.
It is with immense sadness that the VUB community says goodbye to Dr. Joachim Frans. Joachim died unexpectedly on 7 December 2023 in a traffic accident while cycling to work. He leaves behind his wife Magaly and his two children, Maya and Noud. We are deeply touched by the sudden death of Joachim, who had an inspiring approach to life. We cherish all the wonderful memories and sympathize with his family, friends and acquaintances.
Dr. Joachim Frans was a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He studied Philosophy and Moral Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and completed a postgraduate degree in Logic, History and Philosophy of Science at Ghent University. In 2017 he obtained his PhD in Philosophy and Moral Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel on explanatory proofs in mathematics. His postdoctoral research was a continuation of this. He recently published an accessible book about mathematical practice together with colleagues Bart Van Kerkhove and Jean Paul Van Bendegem.
Joachim loved scientific collaboration and he published with colleagues from Brussels, Ghent and other countries. He was passionate about education and taught and assisted several courses including 'Logica en Wetenschapsfilosofie', ‘Logic exercises’, 'Philosophy of Mathematics and Natural Sciences', and 'Taal en betekenis'.
With Joachim's passing we lose a very amiable, helpful and affable colleague and, for many of you, a dear friend. Joachim had been a much-loved person within the Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science for years and his loss is unreal. Thanks to his secret coffee stash, he could offer anyone a delicious cup of comfort at any given time. He took his research and teaching very seriously, but he never forgot his other priorities: his family, friends and free time―from pottery making to winter swimming. The way he approached life was admirable and inspiring. We will miss Joachim enormously.
Please leave a message or a beautiful memory of Joachim below.
Wat een verschrikkelijk nieuws. Joachim en ik hielden ons allebei bezig met verklaren en begrijpen in de wiskunde, al deed hij dit heel intensief en was het voor mij meer een zijpad. Toch bracht ons dit regelmatig in contact. Dat contact was steeds ontzettend hartelijk. Joachim deed interessante filosofie, waar iedereen veel van kan leren; maar nog veel belangrijker, hij was een erg fijn persoon. Ik zal hem missen. Maar vooral wens ik zijn vrienden en familie veel sterkte.