On the 12th of April, 2009 80 years have passed since the birth of Olexandr Olexandrovych Pashchenko - a doctor of technical sciences, professor, corresponding member of Academy of Science of USSR, laureate of the State Prize.
O.O. Pashchenko belongs to the galaxy of outstanding staff of the Kiev Polytechnic Institute, who has made significant contributions to its development in the 50-80s of the twentieth century. In 1954 he received an engineering degree, and already in 1969 has founded the Department of Chemical Engineering binders (now - chemical engineering composite materials), which he headed to the last days of his life (he died in 1989).
Lustrous talent of the scientist and organizer displayed in various branches of scientific research of O.O. Pashchenko, who has managed to graduate from KPI and quickly turned into one of the leaders of several major research directions which still retain great theoretical and practical significance. They are - physicochemical foundations of structure formation binders, revolutionary energy-saving technologies in the production of cement, hydrophobic processes of various materials and products, functional materials and coatings based on silicone polymers.
Happy scientific destiny of O.O. Pashchenko that contrasts so much with its extremely difficult, almost tragic war childhood was created by him, by his high creativity, capability for work and exceptional dedication. The time he lived in played a great role in his development as an outstanding scientist and organizer. Intellectual space of that time, not only in technical sciences, was forming by the influence of powerful figures of classics, spirit of genuine titans and scientific thoughts. Such legendary scientists as academicians P.P. Budnikov, P.O. Rebinder, M.V. Byelov were progressing in their creative activity at that time. These brilliant individuals created such a high level standard, which every true scientist wished to reach.
It was necessary to have truly outstanding personal and professional qualities in order to be noticed by these great scholars, to get into the field of their immediate intellectual and spiritual influence and, indeed, practically cooperate with them as junior colleagues. It was such a lucky chance that O.O. Pashchenko got. Being a very young scientist, he was familiar with the classics (of science), was taught by them, adopting not only their knowledge and professional approaches, but also the philosophy of the world, philosophy of science, attitude towards life and people, who surrounded him. To some extend he managed to "connect times", combining deep scientific knowledge in different fields as well as brilliant erudition in matters of literature, painting, theater, and personal charm – the best academic heritage of the past – with the focused powerful skills of modern “technician”.
Deep scientific ideas, nontrivial technical solutions, a good combination of basic and applied research were in the days of O.O. Pashchenko, as well as nowadays, only a part of the prerequisites for success. An organizational component has always been another part of his success. Only one scientific creation of O.O. Pashchenko, which could be created by him in a quiet office or laboratory, would be enough to secure him a prominent place among Ukrainian scientists of the twentieth century. But he went much further, revealing himself as a successful organizer and leader of a large research team.
His principal approach was always based on involving the most outstanding personalities, creative people capable of bold innovative solutions and taking initiative. One can cite a long list of students of O.O. Pashchenko that not only fully correspond to these specifications, but themselves have become strong independent "nucleus" in science and education of scientific generation long ago.
It is enough to remember Professors V.A. Swidersky –who succeeded O.O. Pashchenko in the managing of the Department as well as V.J. Kruhlytska, V.P. Serbin, O.O. Myasnikov. A large cohort of students of O.O. Pashchenko is successfully working now in various scientific and educational institutions in different cities of Ukraine and even in different countries.
A great merit of "boss" (as he was briefly called by his staff) was that at the Department these extraordinary people have always found the necessary high space above their heads and the wide horizon, without which it was impossible to grow, lunge forward and upward. One of the main traditions, inserted by O.O. Pashchenko to the foundation of his department, is a creation of a harmonious ensemble of skillful professionals who jointly solve challenges without losing their own, personal perspective.
Another strong point of the department, under the leadership of O.O. Pashchenko, was an academic process. The department created textbooks that actually have become classics. The world of science and production has already seen many intelligent engineers and researchers, who were educated by this Department and whom one can be find on leading posts from huge plants to institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
During his very short life - he died at the age of 60 – Pashchenko made a great contribution as a scientist, as a teacher and as an organizer. But, perhaps, the most important thing everyone re who knew him recalls is a boundless kindness of this, at the first sight, harsh person. We feel his presence with us. We remember and love him.
N.O. Tkach is a prominent scientist in the field of physical chemistry and technology of silicates of hetero-organic materials. He is a founder of fundamental research direction of modifying materials by hetero-organic compositions, complex processing of raw materials and energy savings in the industry of building materials.
He educated 60 candidates and 11 doctors.
Tkach is a twice winner of the State Prize of the USSR (1981, 1988), laureate of the Kiev Polytechnic Institute Prize (1976). On the facade of the chemical building a memorable board was placed.
He is an author of 677 scientific publications, including 25 monographs and 6 textbooks. He has got 173 inventions. The main works are "Organ silicon covering" (1969), "Waterproofing" (1973), "New Cement" (1978), "General Technology of silicates" (1983), "Organ silicon coverings for protection against biocorrosion" (1988), "Reinforcement binders mineral fibers "(1988), "Energy saving and non-waste technology for binders "(1990)," Theory of cement "(1991).