ROBERT (‘BOB’) SOUTHERN – IN MEMORIAM

Former participants in many of ADPC’s earlier courses will be sad to learn that Bob Southern died after a long illness on January 25, 2003, in Perth, Australia.

Bob was one of the pillars of ADPC’s early "Disaster Management" and "Improving Cyclone Warning Response" courses, providing meteorological inputs in his inimitable style. His enthusiasm for his subject was infectious and he endeared himself to the course participants and ADPC staff alike, soon establishing himself as ADPC’s very own unofficial weatherman.

Earlier he had a distinguished career in the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, followed by service with the World Meteorological Organization as the Chief Technical Adviser to the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Apart from his autobiography published in 2002 (see book review section), throughout his career Bob produced many scientific papers and articles including the important 47-page chapter "Tropical Cyclone Warning – Response Strategies" in "Storms" published in the Routledge ‘Hazards and Disaster Series.’

People like Bob are a rare breed. He gave of himself unstintingly. His zest for his work and his dedication shine through in his autobiography "My Head in the Clouds". His work for ADPC brought him into contact with an even wider audience. He will be remembered with respect and affection throughout Asia and the Pacific.

We extend our sympathy to his widow, Ruth, his four children and six grandchildren. We were glad that a former staff member now resident in Perth, Sunil Govinnage, was able to represent ADPC at the funeral.

Col Brian Ward is ADPC Founder Trustee and  Advisor, Director Emeritus