In memoriam, Obituary
Last goodbye to our editor-in-chief prof. dr. sc. Marko Petrak
Abstract
During the last phase of preparation of the current issue of Zbornik Pravnog fakulteta u Zagrebu (Collected Papers of the Faculty of Law in Zagreb), the long-time editor-in-chief Professor Marko Petrak suddenly passed away on 17 January 2022.
The consistent and dedicated care and enthusiasm in the development and improvement of Zbornik, including its promotion, expanding the range of authors and topics, and raising the overall quality of its content was but one of many important activities in the professional work of Professor Petrak. The exceptional breadth of knowledge and interest enabled him to perform the job of editor-in-chief with ease, while achieving great success. He greatly valued the relationship he developed with the members of the editorial board, authors and reviewers. He was always friendly, respectful and ready to offer good advice or a word of encouragement, with clever humor and wit, to both new acquaintances and longtime colleagues or friends. It is for this reason, but also for his many other qualities, that his premature passing is all the more painful, and the irreparable loss and emptiness felt by many, including the members of the editorial board, all the deeper.
It is without a doubt that numerous lines will be written about Professor Petrak’s scientific achievements in various fields of law, primarily Roman law, but also civil law, canon law, Byzantine law and other branches of law, and that many scholars will surely continue to refer to his work and theses for a long time to come. But for those who knew him something more valuable remains – memories of shared moments, the conversations, the experiences of a shared reality in which he left an indelible mark that will be present for years and decades.
Students will fondly remember him by his intriguing lectures, cheerful
spirit, empathy and above all – fairness. He approached everyone in good faith, and those who had the pleasure of meeting him surely will be able to confirm that Professor Marko Petrak truly lived by the three praecepta iuris, which he studied with a passion – honeste vivere, alterum non laedere, suum cuique tribuere – to live honestly, not to harm others, to render to each his own. We will cherish the memory of Professor Petrak as a friend, colleague, professor, but above all as an exceptional man.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
272421
URI
Publication date:
1.2.2022.
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