Dr. Laurits Bjerrum, Director of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, died suddenly on 27th February, 1973, only 54 years old.
Dr. Bjermm was born in Denmark and obtained his degree in civil engineering from the Danish Technical University. After some years in engineering practice, he went to the University in Z~irich in 1943 and worked there for 4 years. He also obtained his doctorate from this well-known school.
In 1951 he came to Norway as Head of the Geotechnical Institute. It was a bold choice by the Board of the Institute to call in this, at that time not so well-known, engineer, to the important position of managing director of the National Geotechnical Institute.
There can be no doubt today that during the 22 years under Bjerrum's leadership the Institute has developed into an internationally well-known research establishment of high scientific standard. Through his activity as Vice-President for Europe and as President for the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Bjerrum came in contact with a great part of the profession of soil mechanics engineering all over the world. His activity in engineering science has been demonstrated through more than 150 publications in scientific journals and proceedings from conferences. He has been called in to give guest lectures at universities in all continents and acted as consultant to large engineering projects in Africa, America, Europe and Asia. He was a member of the editorial board of this journal since its inception.
When he passed away at a time when he was at the height of his scientific activity, the world lost one of the best contributors to engineering science. The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute has lost its director. The personnel and his co-workers have lost a charming leader, and his family has lost their husband and father.
We are all left the poorer for his sudden departure.
I.Th. ROSENQVIST (Oslo)