Preface to “Advances in Heterogeneous Catalysis and Electrocatalysis Including New Insights from Surface Science and Quantum Mechanics, Published in Honor of Professor Robert K. Grasselli, Irsee VIII Symposium Kloster Irsee, Germany 23–26 May 2019 (Irsee VIII)”

The 8th Irsee Symposium entitled “Advances in Selective Oxidation Catalysis and Electrocatalysis Including New Insights from Surface Science and Quantum Mechanics”, sponsored by the Robert Karl Grasselli Foundation, took place at the Schwabisches Bildungszentrum in Irsee, Germany 23–26 May 2019. This was a bittersweet gathering honoring the memory and enormous contributions of Robert Karl Grasselli, who died on 11 January 2018. Bob was the inspiration and keystone of these gatherings of selected experts every few years to discuss challenges, opportunities, and new frontiers in catalysis. Marked by critical probing of assumptions and mechanisms by Bob, John Thomas, and others, these meetings continued to invigorate the participants, bringing to bear the experience of the old-timers with the brash new ideas and directions of newcomers at each meeting.