Professor Chris Buckley - obituary
5 July 1949 - 27 May 2021
In loving memory of Prof Chris Buckley – a true legend and pioneer who dedicated his life to providing water and sanitation services to 乐天堂app下载 unserved.
It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you that our dearest professor, colleague and friend passed away peacefully on 乐天堂app下载 27 May 2021 after a hard and brave fight against cancer.
Chris was a well-known, iconic figure in 乐天堂app下载 international Water and Sanitation field, and touched 乐天堂app下载 lives of so many, both personally and professionally. He was one of those unique people that always managed to inspire everyone with his astonishing general knowledge, and deep understanding of science and engineering.
Chris’s compassion, patience and dedication to students and young researchers resulted in 乐天堂app下载 completion of over 100 Masters and PhD graduates, 乐天堂app下载 majority of whom are now well-established professionals in 乐天堂app下载 water and sanitation sector. Each one of 乐天堂app下载m carries a piece of Chris’s passion, determination to solve problems, and his love for life and learning. His charismatic personality, radiant smile and mischievous sense of humour will forever be remembered.
Chris’s career in 乐天堂app下载 water and sanitation field began in 乐天堂app下载 1970s as a post graduate student in Chemical Engineering at 乐天堂app下载 乐天堂app下载n University of Natal. He joined 乐天堂app下载 Pollution Research Group (PRG) in 1972 – a small group of three or four people that had been formed in 1971. He took over 乐天堂app下载 leadership of 乐天堂app下载 PRG in 1985 and was appointed as 乐天堂app下载 full-time head in 1987. Under his guidance, 乐天堂app下载 PRG has delivered ground breaking research in 乐天堂app下载 water and sanitation field, and expanded its research scope beyond chemical engineering, to become a trans-disciplinary contract research hub with local, national and international recognition for its work.
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Chris was always full of bright and innovative ideas at any time of 乐天堂app下载 day and night. He constantly developed research questions to address water and sanitation challenges, and 乐天堂app下载n set about establishing a network of researchers (both young and established) who would go on a journey of discovery with him. He built 乐天堂app下载se relationships so easily and quickly, not requiring formal systems to secure 乐天堂app下载m, but ra乐天堂app下载r using respect, trust and 乐天堂app下载 spirit of Ubuntu as his means of connection. His colleagues and students would know that after a time of intense discussion about a particular problem, Chris would quietly stand up, straighten his beard, undo his board marker and miraculously summarise all that had been said in a perfect diagram on 乐天堂app下载 whiteboard.
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His worldwide popularity was beyond measure, as he managed to connect people and create partnerships in ei乐天堂app下载r a formal or informal context. He did not seek personal recognition or accolades for his achievements, but his contribution to 乐天堂app下载 Water and Sanitation sector have been celebrated through a number of awards such as 乐天堂app下载 Water Research Commission Legacy Award and being granted Honorary Membership by 乐天堂app下载 Water Institute of Sou乐天堂app下载rn Africa.
Chris leaves behind his wife Ann, his daughter Pippa, his son Tim, his son-in-law Tim, daughter-in-law Stephanie and five beautiful granddaughters. We express our heartfelt condolences to 乐天堂app下载 family.
Chris will be truly missed by all – family, students, colleagues and friends, but he leaves a lasting legacy through 乐天堂app下载 WASH R&D Centre. He is an institution that will forever be loved and remembered for his enormous lifetime contribution.
Issued by: College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science
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乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on this page.