In Memoriam

MICHEL HERMELIN ARBAUX

Michel Hermelín Arbaux was born in France. In 1960 he finishes his High School studies at Liceo Marco Fidel Suárez in Medellín. He later obtains his undergraduate degree of Geological and Petroleum Engineer, at the Faculty of Mines in 1965, and Master of Science in 1970, at Colorado State University, then becoming PhD Candidate at Princeton University, New Jersey, U.S.A.

He dedicated a significantly large part of his life to teaching and geologic investigation. Hermelin was professor at Universidad Nacional campus Medellín, in the period 1963-1983, also being the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences. Universidad EAFIT has had the privilege of counting on him as active Faculty member since 1984 until his death, occupying the chairs of Director of the Geology Department, Professor, Advisor of the Department and Coordinator of the line of Environmental Geology.

He actively participated in the Sociedad Colombiana de Geología, particularly in all our Colombian Geological Congresses, from the very first one, held in Bogotá in 1969, until the last 14th one, equally held in the country capital; he brilliantly presided the 2nd Congress in Bogotá in 1978, 6th in Medellín in 1993 and 9th also in Medellín in 2005. Due to Hermelin’s own initiative and constant hard work, it has been possible to regularly hold these congresses every two years since 2008. Equally important, the congress for Geology and Engineering Geology students, named La Semana Técnica (The Technical Week), has also been held biannually and intercalated, with high academic and scientific standards, which deserves mentioning at the national and international level because placing the Colombian geology as a profession in an outstanding position. He was a great driver of Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology, which deserved him the right of representing Colombia at the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG).

Very too many would be the paragraphs to let you know Professor Michel Hermelin’s achievements. Geosciences have lost a very committed and honest scientist. With much pride, we must stress that you left us your legacy of actions undertaken in the organizations where you participated, the achievements in the universities where you taught, in the institutes where you promulgated with faith and strong will, detached service and love to this country that hosted you, very luckily for us. You leave to us an invaluable scientific production.

Doctor Hermelín, your life example and actions are your legacy.

Orlando Navas Camacho
President Consejo Profesional de Geología
Traducción: Franck Audemard