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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black">Everyone who knew Robert was shocked by the tragic end of his young life, which ended in the midst of the scientific exploration he cherished so much. </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black">For many years, Rob shared an office at Jefferson Laboratory with Hall B staff as a member of the CNU/Jefferson Lab joined research team. As Hall- B leader<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a></a>I had the
chance to work with him as a member of the team for several years. This allowed me to know Rob through his passion for the science he conducted that set a new benchmark for precision measurements and made significant advances in unraveling the complex structure
of the proton spin, an extremely difficult task that international researchers have been working on for decades. Rob's work and results will remain unmatched for years to come. With Rob as the lead author, followed by the list of over 150 scientists in the
international CLAS collaboration, Robert Fersch's name will be remembered by all members of the scientific community in this field of research. </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black">Rob will be missed by our community, but his memory lives on through his scientific work and his love of teaching. </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16pt;color:black">Volker Burkert </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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