Roderick FURKERT Obituary

I'll miss Rod. I worked with him at DSIR Soil Bureau in the 70s and 80s. He was always cheerful and generous, with a wry sense of humour. Came from a time when a scientist didn't have to self-promote to get ahead and Rod wasn't one for self-promotion. More self-effacing. Was the gatekeeper of scientific quality for publications and very helpful in that role. His table tennis was so good he played left-handed as a natural right-hander to give others a chance. We played together in the social Soil Bureau soccer team at a time when social life was important there. Annette and Rod were generous towards our family as mainlanders stuck in Wellington over one Christmas. It seems he became a mainlander!

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Rod and I were at Soil Bureau in the 1970's. He was a lovely man; seriously bright and a seriously good table tennis player with a great sense of humour. He made a major contribution to NZ Soil Science through his contribution to the NZ Society of Soil Science. I was delighted to catch up with him again in ChCh quite recently. My condolences to you and your family Annette - I will miss Rod a lot.

God bless Rod. A fine and learned gent. So pleased to have worked with you in Wellington all those years ago. My condolences to Annette and family.

My old mate Rod...my regards to you all...I´m in London and won´t be there for the funeral...