Special issue dedicated to Robert Flammang: To celebrate his 60th birthday - Foreword

Last year, when celebrating the 60(th) birthday of Robert Flammang, I wondered: "Robert would probably be really happy and, no doubt moved, to receive a special issue of a mass spectrometry journal published on the occasion of his birthday and honoring his scientific career". Coincidentally, in the meantime, I received a number of messages from eminent scientists saying the same and suggesting that, in spite of my youth, I should find a host journal. With friendly help from Guy Bouchoux, we decided to contact Peter Derrick at the University of Warwick, Editor of the European Journal of Mass Spectrometry... the work could then begin... Immediately, I realized, from my extensive correspondence with the authors, that Robert was not only highly appreciated from a scientific point of view but also for his kindness and human qualities. This is underlined by the eighteen superb manuscripts dedicated to him and signed by an impressive collection of famous scientists. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the contributors to this special issue. Thank you.