Person Becke; Axel Dieter (1953-2025); physical chemist Becke Axel Dieter physical chemist 1953-2025 Canadian Male Esslingen, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, South Germany, Europe 10 June 1953 19530610 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, North America 23 October 2025 20251023 Burial: At the top of the hill of Oakridge Memorial Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Physical chemist Applied mathematics Computational chemistry Computer science Quantum chemistry Theoretical Chemistry Quantum physics Physical chemistry Education: Sir Robert Borden High School; Queen's University, BSc Engineering Physics (1975); McMaster University, MSc Theoretical Physics (1977); McMaster University, PhD Theoretical Physics (1981) Career: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at Dalhousie University, Canada (1981-1983); Professor of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario (c 1984); Killam Chair in Computational Science, Dalhousie University, Canada (2006); Harry Shirreff Professor of Chemical Research Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Canada (2025). Memberships: International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science Awards/Medals: Medal of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science; the Schrödinger Medal of the World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists; the American Chemical Society Award in Theoretical Chemistry; the CIC Medal of the Canadian Society for Chemistry; the NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. Parents: Helmut and Hannelore Becke. Siblings: Tom, Peter, and Alan. Renowned for developing theoretical and computational methods for calculating the electronic structure of atoms, molecules and solids. His work was widely applied in chemistry, physics and biology for high-accuracy calculations of the properties of large molecules and materials. Known for the Density functional theory (leading researcher in the application of density functional theory (DFT) to molecules.), Electron localization function, and Hybrid functional. The journal Nature recently identified two of Axel’s publications as the 8th and 25th most cited publications of all time. Fellow 18/05/2006 52 The Royal Society Fellows Directory, Professor Axel Becke FRS, [URL: https://royalsociety.org/people/axel-becke-11062/; last accessed: 17/12/2025] Dalhousie University, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, News & Events, Professor Axel D. Becke, FRS, FRSC (1953-2025), [URL: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/chemistry/news-events/axel-becke.html; last accessed: 17/12/2025] Ottawa Citizen Obituaries, Professor Axel Dieter Becke Obituary, [URL: https://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary/axel-becke-1093339669; last accessed: 17/12/2025] Becke A D, IM006271.jpg International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 RCN R74176 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH681 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 17/12/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA9205 22/05/2006 Joanna 17/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/104328390 add2ffaf-51fa-4c7a-abb8-109633e64006