The Hungarian and international team of materials testers was shocked and saddened to learn that another of
its representatives had passed from the “earthly team” to the heavenly ones. Ernő Czoboly, a former student
of the Evangelical Fasori High School, a former student of the Budapest University of Technology, and a
colleague of the academic research group operating at the Department of Mechanical Technology of the
Hungarian University of Technology, and an honorary university professor of the Hungarian University of
Technology, passed away in his 98th year.
He was the first in Hungary to recognize that a material continuity defect in our operating engineering
structures does not necessarily cause them to break, because their effect can be evaluated using the principles
of fracture mechanics. He actively participated in the international dissemination of this approach and
educated the Hungarian team of specialists who, following him, were able to “step onto the boards of the
world’s professional stage.” His work and the recognition of his achievements were recognized by the state
leadership in 2022 by awarding him the Officer's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit, civilian category.
In addition to his higher education and doctoral training at his workplace, he carried out his professional
activities within the framework of the Mechanical Engineering Scientific Association, the Hungarian Academy
of Engineers, the Hungarian Association of Materials Testers, and the Hungarian National Committee of the
Structural Integrity Society (ESIS MNB). His name "sounded well" among the speakers of domestic and
international conferences, and he was invited to give invited lectures on several occasions throughout Europe.
In Budapest in 1988, he organized the ECF7 conference entitled "Damage Analysis: Theory and Practice".
Couple of crucial decisions were made during ECF7, significantly improving the future of EGF/ESIS, including
the integration of “east” and “west”. On the one hand, this had a very good echo for a long time around the
world, on the other hand, it excellently facilitated the resolution of the East-West political tensions that also
appeared in professional life with the presence of a large number of participants from the former socialist
countries.
He played an extremely significant role in establishing and maintaining scientific cooperation with the Republic
of Korea between 1992 and 2008 as the Secretary General of the Hungarian-Korean Technical Cooperation
Foundation.
His publication list, which contains approximately 150 items, truly convincingly supports his international fame
and recognition. His professional organizational skills can also be seen in the fact that he organized more than
30 international events and edited 25 publications.
Rest in peace!
László Tóth, Aleksandar Sedmak
