Jan Kříž was born in 1974. He studied at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University in Prague, where in 2003 he defended his dissertation in theoretical physics, astronomy and astrophysics. In the same year he joined the University of Hradec Králové. He taught physics and in research focused on mathematical aspects of physical problems. From March 2019 he was dean of the Faculty of Science and was later elected rector of the university [1]. He was a long-standing member of the Union of Czech Mathematicians and Physicists [2].
He died on 21 October 2026 at the age of almost 52. The powers of the rector passed temporarily to vice-rector Leona Stašová [1][2]. The university opened a virtual book of condolences and set up a memorial place in the meeting room of the rector's office. The final farewell is to take place on Friday, 30 October 2026 at 11 a.m. in the funeral hall of Hradec Králové in Kukleny. For that day the university declared a rector's day off and cancelled classes [1][2].
In place of flowers the family asked for support of young talents, and the Union of Czech Mathematicians and Physicists called for financial contributions to the Physics Olympiad and other educational activities [2].
Chronology
- — Univerzita Hradec Králové vyhlásila na pátek 30. října rektorské volno a zrušila výuku kvůli poslednímu rozloučení se zesnulým rektorem Janem Křížem. Deník: Královéhradecký kraj Hradecká Drbna