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.
Voor deze werkstudent een rots in de branding tijdens de cursus Logica. Een vriendelijke man. Aanspreekbaar, duidelijk, zacht en erudiet. Een collega werkstudent schreef dat hij iemand was die academia ten dienste van de student stelde. Beter als dat kan ik het niet zeggen. Hij heeft in korte tijd een diepe indruk nagelaten. Een voorbeeld voor velen.
Veel sterkte aan de familie, de collega's, de vrienden.