Preface for the Memorial Corner Issue devoted to E. Uspuras

Let’s fix the premature death of Eugenijus Uspuras with a Latin sentence: Vita mortuorum in memoria est posita vivorum (Marcus Tullius Cicero) [in English: The passing-away (of important persons) is placed in the memory of the living ones]. Eugenijus suddenly crossed the river, as the American Indians say, on October 12, 2019 [on the same day when 527 years before, another Navigator, Columbus, landed in the lately called American continent], when his mind was fully busy in planning new projects and in discussions with many of us. He has been a reference scientist within the international scientific and technological community in the nuclear reactor field for three-four decades especially after the collapse of Soviet Union and the independence of Lithuania. His expertise covered many areas of nuclear technology, as also discussed in the commemoration by S. Rimkevicius (another paper in this Memorial Corner Issue). In his working life he combined, what is uncommon in one single person, activities in basic and applied research, activities in management including the capability to evaluate persons and projects in a calm and effective way, and strategic visions. He was always ready to open new ways for cooperation. Let’s recall Eugenijus through three typical episodes or situations in his life.