In Memoriam: Prof. Henk Monkhorst
Professor Emeritus of Physics Hendrik J. Monkhorst, known to all as Henk, died Wednesday, January 22 in Gainesville, Florida, four days after a stroke. He was 86 years old. He passed peacefully in Haven Hospice in accordance with his wishes. He is survived by his best friend and wife Alka, his son Harrem, his daughter Miranda, his brother Marten, his granddaughters Clovis, Talea, and Gisella, his other best friend Steve, and his feline companions, Blackie and Stripey.
Dr. Monkhorst received his PhD in theoretical chemistry from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, in 1968. After immigrating to the United States in the same year, he accepted a position at the University of Utah in the Department of Physics. In 1978, Monkhorst joined the University of Florida, working with the Quantum Theory Project, a joint research group in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry.
In 1995, Monkhorst joined forces with plasma physicists Norman Rostoker and Michel Binderbauer at the University of California-Irvine, co-patenting a novel design for a colliding beam fusion reactor. After his retirement from the University of Florida in December 2008, Monkhorst joined the company founded by Rostoker and Binderbauer, TriAlpha Energy, now TAE Technologies. Until very recently, he worked full time for TAE, focusing on the energy extraction technologies critical to their pursuit of clean, sustainable nuclear fusion.
Until the time of his death, Monkhorst was actively involved in research with colleagues in the Physics Department. His enthusiasm for science and research inspired countless students and postdocs around the world. We are all better for his restless and methodical intellect, his humor, and his expansive heart and mind.
A private burial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, etc., folks may donate to the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Henk’s name.
https://people.clas.ufl.edu/henk/
https://www.prairiecreekconservationcemetery.org/support-pccc