Celebrating Ian Robinson's last day at BNL

On July 20, we gathered over dinner to celebrate Ian's last day at BNL and his remarkable scientific career thus far.

Friends and colleagues gathered around a long table at Ian Robinson's retirement dinner — Friends and colleagues gather around the table to celebrate Ian.

In honor of many long days and nights doing experiments with Ian, we assembled a memento for him: a signed Huber goniometer stage carrying a Laue x-ray Polaroid system inset with a photo of Ian at a diffractometer. Thanks to Fran for the consistently high-quality engineering!

Mark presenting Ian Robinson with his retirement gift — Mark presents the retirement gift to Ian.

A signed Huber goniometer stage holding a Polaroid of Ian Robinson at a diffractometer — The signed Huber goniometer stage, complete with a Polaroid of Ian at a diffractometer.

A musical number from Weiguo Yin upped the class and added a fittingly joyful note to the evening.

Yimei Zhu, Ian Robinson, and Doon Gibbs seated together at the retirement dinner — Yimei Zhu, Ian, and Doon Gibbs.

Xiao and Ian Robinson together at the retirement dinner — Xiao and Ian.

Ian Robinson and Fran together at the retirement dinner — Ian and Fran.

Weiguo Yin playing guitar for Ian Robinson and the guests at the retirement dinner — A musical number from Weiguo.

As well as continuing his position at University College London, Ian will be off for an extended research stay in Japan. This was in some ways a surprise, in that many of us did not know Ian was going to Japan, and in other ways not, as it is exactly what one expects of someone with such a relentlessly enthusiastic and innovative career.