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National Post

Raymond Laflamme, Canadian pioneer in quantum computing, has died

Article content Laflamme's many accolades included being named an Officer of the Order of Canada, the Canadian Association of Physicists CAP-CRM Prize in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He held the inaugural Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis 'John von Neumann' Chair in Quantum Information. Article content Article content He coauthored two textbooks on quantum computing: Building Quantum Computers: A Practical Introduction and An Introduction to Quantum Computing. In 2020, he and his wife, Janice Gregson, established the Raymond Laflamme and Janice Gregson Graduate Scholarship for Women in Quantum Information Science, awarded annually to recognize top women entering Waterloo's quantum graduate programs. Article content 'Throughout his career, he found ways to bring people together,' the university said in its release. 'This was accomplished on an international scale by leading networks and organizing conferences, and within the local community through pick-up hockey games and sharing his insights generously with students and colleagues.' Article content Article content The university noted that, when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, Laflamme started a project with researchers at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ont., to investigate quantum technologies for cancer research and treatment. Article content Laflamme is survived by Gregson and his children, Patrick and Jocelyne. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family says donations may be made to Lung Cancer Canada, Princess Margaret Foundation or the Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation – Cancer Centre. The family is also working towards setting up a scholarship fund in Laflamme's memory. Article content An obituary at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home noted Laflamme's love for the outdoors. 'In recent years, he and Janice went on bike tours through France, and Ray embarked on two canoe trips to the Arctic — one with Patrick, one with Jocelyne,' it said, adding: 'He had a knack for turning any project into something special, from building a log cabin sauna by hand to restoring his cherished 1979 VW bus.' Article content Article content The obituary also includes a tribute wall. One person posted: 'Although I only met Ray Laflamme once, I'll never forget his patience in explaining, in lay terms, quantum computing to me.' Article content They added: 'I first learned about his lung cancer diagnosis in an interview with him in the (Waterloo Region) Record. He was speaking out about the importance of early screening for a cancer that is the leading cause of death. The courage he displayed by going public in that article only increased my respect for him. My condolences to his family.' Article content