Dear Colleagues,

With sadness we write to inform you that Herman van Keulen passed away
on the 9th December. A short obituary is attached. Please pass this
message on to colleagues, if appropriate.

With best wishes,

Martin van Ittersum and Ken Giller

Prof. Dr.ir. Martin K. van Ittersum

Wageningen University

Plant Production Systems

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http://www.pps.wur.nl/UK/

Herman van Keulen passed away on the 9th December 2013. Herman was
emeritus Professor in the chairgroup Plant Production Systems and senior
researcher in the business unit Agrosystems Research of Plant Research
International of Wageningen University and Research centre.

Herman began his career in Wageningen in 1969, when he was appointed as
research assistant in the departments Theoretical Production Ecology and
Soil Science. After this he worked in Israël and Indonesia before he
joined the Centre for Agrobiological Research (CABO). In 1992 the CABO
was absorbed into the Institute for Agrobiological and Soil fertility
Research (AB-DLO) which in turn became part of Plant Research
International. From 1987 to 1993 Herman was appointed visiting professor
at the ITC in Enschede and from 1994 to 1998 Professor of Animal
Production Systems of Wageningen University. In 1999 he returned to
Plant Research International, with an appointment as Special Professor
at the chairgroup of Plant Production Systems until he retired in 2010.

Herman specialised in agroecological research, combining experimental
and modelling approaches to improve food security in developing
countries, in particular in South-east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. He
made a major contribution to sustainability of the Dutch dairy sector,
particularly related to nutrient management. He was closely involved in
the experimental farm "De Marke". He was a generalist, and knew enough
about crops and soils and animals to integrate this knowledge to the
benefit of sustainable systems. He was a fore-runner in
interdisciplinary research between the natural and social sciences.

He was a prolific author, with more than 175 publications in
international peer-reviewed scientific journals. Herman was an excellent
teacher with the ability to give thought-provoking lectures. As a
committed, meticulous and stimulating supervisor he launched the
academic careers of 57 scientists through their PhD. With many of these
scientists he retained strong personal bonds, also in retirement.

In 2009 we celebrated Herman's 40th years of service and a year later
marked his retirement. During this highly memorable celebration with
family, friends and colleagues, Herman received the high accolade as an
Officer in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau from the Mayor of Wageningen on
behalf of Queen Beatrix. Although his health declined rapidly, Herman
remained active in support of his two last students who successfully
defended their PhDs on 15 November, this year. Although he was no longer
well enough to attend the ceremonies he was immensely proud of their
success and followed every minute through Wageningen UR TV.

We will miss Herman sorely. We remember him with warmth as an excellent
and influential researcher and a fine, committed and humorous colleague.
We wish his wife Clara and their sons strength in this difficult period.

Jacques Neeteson, Martin van Ittersum, Ken Giller and Martin Kropff