Messages of Sympathy to the attention of Mr. Ferdinand Bonn's Family

Our colleague and friend Ferdinand Bonn Professor at the Université de Sherbrooke, passed away on August 29, 2006 following injuries that he sustained from a tragic car accident in Marrakech, Morocco. He leaves behind his wife Line, his three children, his family in France, and many colleagues and friends who are all saddened by this loss.

Some highlights of Ferdinand Bonn's career

Founding father of the remote sensing lab at the Université de Sherbrooke as well as CARTEL, Ferdinand Bonn was a pioneer, a unifying force, and a motivator for us all. His renown in environmental science and remote sensing was global in scope.

Of Alsatian origin, he arrived in Québec and began work in the Geography Department of the Université de Sherbrooke as part of his French military service contribution. He quickly established an innovative research program in remote sensing and acquired his first National Research Council grant for surface characterization experiments using solar spectrometry and infrared radiometry. He then began the development, along with his colleague Pierre Clément, of what would become one of the first remote sensing laboratories in Canada. He defended his doctoral thesis in 1975 at the Université Louis-Pasteur in Strasbourg under the supervision of Jean Tricart. In the same year he founded the Association Québécoise de Télédétection (AQT) with his friend Guy Rochon, a young professor and collaborator from Université Laval.

Ferdinand Bonn rapidly acquired a distinct scientific reputation thanks to his leading edge research in the development of analysis methods applied to the first set of satellite remote sensing images acquired by the NASA Landsat sensor (launched in 1972). Always at the forefront of spatial environmental science, his continued success in innovative science initiatives was recognized with the awarding of a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) medal for twenty-five years of continuous research grants.

In 1985 he founded, along with his colleagues Jean-Marie Dubois, Hugh Gwyn and Alain Royer, the Centre for Applications and Research in Remote Sensing (CARTEL). This Université de Sherbrooke research centre evolved into one of the most important remote sensing centres in Canada and achieved international stature. Dr. Bonn was the recipient of numerous awards. Two notable awards were the Jacques Rousseau prize from l'Association Francophone pour le Savoir (ACFAS) for his contributions to multidisciplinary research and, in 2001, the Gold Medal from the Canadian Remote Sensing Society / Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute for contributions to the development of remote sensing in Canada.

His research specialization was in the remote sensing of surface parameters, vegetation and the dynamics of watersheds. In addition, he was an exceptional leader in the field of international cooperation focused on Earth Observation resources. His research work led him to projects in more than a dozen countries in the European community, in Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire), in Asia (Viêt-nam and Cambodia) and in South America (Bolivia). These international projects were funded by organizations such as l'Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the International Development Research Centre and the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique. His exceptional contributions in Viêt-nam were recognized and led to his being the first Canadian to be ever awarded the Friendship Medal, the highest distinction offered by the country of Viêt-nam to a foreigner.

Dr. Bonn has published more than sixty articles in peer-reviewed journals, over hundred and thirty conference proceedings articles and a number of book chapters. He is the author, along with Guy Rochon, of Précis de télédétection, a standard remote sensing book referenced in many countries of the Francophonie with 6000 copies sold world-wide. National and international recognition of his research career led to his being awarded a senior Canada Research Chair in 2002. He was co-editor of the journal Télédétection since 2004, and Editor in Chief since 2006.

He has successfully supervised over forty Ph.D. and M.Sc. students to thesis completion at the Université de Sherbrooke as well as supervising numerous postdoctoral fellows and research associates. He was very much admired and appreciated by his graduate students over the years. Seven Ph.D students and three M.Sc. students are currently working on projects supervised by Dr. Bonn.

His exceptional career, his national as well as international renown, and his warm human nature were recognized and valued by friends and colleagues alike. His sudden departure is a terrible loss to all who knew Ferdinand and a blow to the scientific community.

He was also a good friend.

Alain Royer
Director of CARTEL,
Professor of Applied Geomatics,
Université de Sherbrooke

It is very difficult to find the words to write and how to express my profound shock and sadness in the passing away of our friend – our brother – Ferdinand.

My wife and I have known him for 20 years; he has seen our children grow, he has supported me and encouraged me in my career, as well as many of my graduate students. I was with him a day before his accident: he was, as usual, in wonderful spirits, happy, smiling and sociable, and as always, planning for the future.

When I saw him in the clinic the day following his accident, he was still smiling and trying to make the best of the situation; his only concern at the time being reserved for Line and the children. This is how I shall always remember him: kind, smiling, enjoying life and trying to help his friends.

He was truly multicultural with no political or ethnic boundaries; it was not in his nature to put up barriers. And no one could resist his kindness which he gave freely and in abundance. I have lost a mentor, a friend, and a brother, and I know that his friends around the world mourn him as I do.

God bless Ferdinand, his dear wife Line and his children. We will miss him forever.

Aziz and Kathy Merzouk, Maria and Tham
Rabat, MOROCCO

I am so sorry and shocked at this news. While Ferdinand and I never actually worked on a project together, we worked hard to do this. He was always very friendly and welcoming to me, and I appreciated this very much. I have lost a very good friend, but this is nowhere near the loss that his wife and family are feeling.

My sincere thoughts are with the family.

Chris Duke
Canada, Guelph

Message from Derek Peddle, and on behalf of the Canadian Remote Sensing Society:

I was shocked and so very saddened to hear this news. What a devastating loss.

I am writing to communicate my personal condolences to Ferdinand's family, his many friends, his colleagues at CARTEL and around the world, the wider community at Université de Sherbrooke, and the AQT membership at this most difficult time.

As Vice-Chair of the Canadian Remote Sensing Society, and on behalf of our CRSS Executive, the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing and the full CRSS membership, our community across Canada grieves at this news.

Ferdinand will always be remembered as a pioneering remote sensing researcher in Canada, a tireless developer of CARTEL over the years, and a man with such a warm, inquisitive and engaging personality. His legacy will also forever endure through CARTEL and the many students and colleagues he worked with, supervised and mentored.

In 2001, Ferdinand was awarded the Canadian Remote Sensing Society Gold Medal, a career achievement award that is our country's highest honour in this field.

We are preparing a document in memoriam to honour Ferdinand which will be published in CJRS and various CASI newsletters, and also for distribution to the full CASI/CRSS membership across Canada and internationally.

Again, I and we are so very sorry to hear of Ferdinand's passing. I will miss him as a friend and valued colleague. As a nation, we have lost one of the pillars of remote sensing in Canada.  Our thoughts are with you.

Sincerely,

Derek R. Peddle
Vice-Chair, Canadian Remote Sensing Society.
Professor of Geography,
University of Lethbridge,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

I am so sorry to hear this news. He has been a friend for many years. There are many of us out here in the world of satellites and the environment who are going to miss him.

Jim Gower
Canada, Sidney, BC

I was very saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic death of Professor Ferdinand Bonn in Morocco. 

Professor Bonn was a very close research collaborator and colleague.  We worked together on several projects dealing with water quality in Lake Champlain.  He was an outstanding researcher, a terrific collaborator, and simply put a wonderful man.  He was a man full of compassion and always willing to help others. He had a very nice, kind and gentle spirit.  

His passing will be a loss to our research community. We share with his wife and children, the pains of this terrible and unfortunate loss. Our thoughts are with his entire family at this time. 

Chandra A. Madramootoo,
Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
McGill University
Montreal

To the family and colleagues of Ferdinand, please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences on his sudden and tragic passing. This is a sad loss for all who knew him.

Sincerely
Charlotte McCallum
Ontario, Canada, Guelph

It was with great sadness that I learned of the tragic loss of Ferdinand Bonn. As a colleage in the development of Remote Sensing in Canada, I knew him professionally since the earliest days. My best memories of him are from the IAF Congress which was held in Baku, Russia (now Azerbaijan) in 1972, shortly after the launch of ERTS-1, later renamed LANDSAT-1.

Over the years, as one of the founding members of the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, I had many occasions to meet with him. His contributions to the field are legendary, especially his efforts in the formation and operation of CARTEL. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and close friends.

Murray Strome
Canada, Victoria

I had the pleasure of working with Ferdinand in Africa and Asia, and interacting with him on numerous occasions in Canada. He was a true professional, a gentleman, and aways a pleasure to be around. He will be greatly missed.

Grant Bruce
Vancouver, BC

I am sending my personal condolences to Ferdinand's family, friends, and colleagues. As I never actually met with him, but I have heard all the good things about him from our Egyptian students Ziad Aly, who is preparing his Ph.D under his direct supervision, and I'm one of the co-supervisors. I guess the scientific community will get a great loss of such a professor. My deep sadness for his departure.

Mohamed Bahnassy,
Ph.D Professor of Soils and GIS Soil & Water Sciences
Department Faculty of Agriculture,
Alexandria University
EGYPT

It was for me a big shock when I was informed about this sad news. Ferdinand was for many years the representative for Canada in the council of EARSeL (European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories). Ferdinand always contributed in a positive way and had always fresh ideas about the policy that the Association should follow.

His interventions at our meetings were always highly appreciated. Besides a colleague, Ferdinand also became a good friend to many members of the Council and many people in the Association.

We all will miss Ferdinand for his positive contributions and spirit, his kindness and his friendship.

Rudi Goossens
President of EARSeL
Belgium - Gent

Life expectancy of good people are never long enough not to hurt their family and friends.

Lena Halounova
Prague/Czech Republic

Canada has lost one of its pioneers in remote sensing. A true gentleman, Ferdinand was an exceptionally intelligent man of strong convictions that were always politely expressed. Many of us had our lives enriched through knowing him and cooperating with him whether on a book project, advising CARTEL, or (without his knowing) supporting him for the many awards with which he was feted.

Your departure was too soon Ferdinand, but you have left a brightly burning light in the hearts and minds of the many of us who have been touched by your generosity and quiet excellence.

Dr. Bob Ryerson,
FASPRS President,
Kim Geomatics Corporation
Manotick, ON, CANADA

Dr.Bonn will be missed terribly in the remote sensing community. It was a pleasure working with him on various programs over the years. You have my heart felt sympathy.

Wendy Branson
North Gower, Ontario, Canada

We are deeply saddened to learn of Professor Bonn passing away. We shall all miss him and his enormous contribution to space, science and remote sensing, over many decades. Our sincere condoleances to his family.

Nizar Sultan,
President Canadian Space & Telecom Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario

The few times I met Ferdinand made me quickly appreciate his quiet and very pleasant nature as well as his professional capabilities. I am saddened by his passing and express my condolences to his family and friends.

Dr. Udo Nielsen
President Dendron Resource Surveys Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I was referred to Dr Ferdinand Bonn at at time when we needed to translate a computer assisted tutorial on radar remote sensing into French. He was recognized as an expert and of course did an excellent job for us. His contribution helped lend credibility to our efforts. Dr Bonn was very professional but also very kind and respectful to me as a new entrepreneur working in a field in which he was already well-known. He was always friendly and receptive at meetings, and was a generous and gentle soul. I admired him and wish his family and colleagues well in their time of great loss.

Ronald H Saper
VPI - Innovative Radar Solutions
President Vantage Point International Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario

The loss of Ferdinand is tragic and saddening for everyone who knew him but all the more so for you at CARTEL.  I wish to extend my sincerest sympathies to you who worked so closely with him. With sorrow,

Dr. Philippe M. Teillet,
Professor,
Department of Physics,
University of Lethbridge,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

All,

On behalf of Hatfield, Tom and I would like to express our deepest condolences at the untimely and shocking death of Ferdinand. He was a colleague on many adventures and will be remembered for his many fine attributes including a high level of professionalism, his diplomatic skills, his camaraderie and his sense of humour. He will be greatly missed. Please keep us informed about his funeral arrangements as we would appreciate an opportunity to formally remember a fine individual.

Sincerely,
Grant and S. Bruce, Tom Boivin 
Mr. Grant S. Bruce, M.Sc.
Vice-President and Principal
Hatfield Consultants Ltd.
Suite 201-1571 Bellevue Avenue
West Vancouver, BC 

Some sad news about Ferdinand Bonn, GEC3 member from Université de Sherbrooke.  We will all miss his scientific leadership and wonderful personality.

Charles Lin, Angela Mansi,
GEC3
Québec, Canada

Olaf Niemann

On behalf of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, we extend deepest sympathies on the loss of Professor Ferdinand Bonn to his family and friends. Ferdinand was a dedicated and passionate scientist. He stimulated discussions at many conferences and symposia. We will miss his outstanding contributions. With deepest sympathy,

David G. Goodenough
IEEE GRSS AdCom
Victoria, BC

I wish to express my sympathies and sadness in the tragic death of Ferdinand. He was so important to the remote sensing community in Canada and worldwide. Everyone who embarked in this field in the past 30 years had at least some contact and collaboration with him. His achievements are outstanding testaments to his dedication in the field. He was such an enthusiastic and personable man.

I will always remember how at a conference in 1994 he offered to take Don Leckie and myself on a tour of the area near Strasbourg, including to his mother's home. He gave so much to everyone and will be greatly missed. Doug King Geography, Carleton University

Doug King
Canada, Ottawa

Bob (Ryerson), Jean-Claude H., Dave Goodenoughth and others in the int'l Canadina RS community. There is a tought that Radarsat-2 be named after Ferdinand in the French memorial website.

Please help to make it happen.

Gilles Cliche
former Intera at CCRS on Belfast Road and forewer Fern's buddy now in Chile,
South America

With deep regret we learned about the accident of Dr Ferdinand Bonn. With him we lost a much appreciated colleague and friend. He will be missed by his colleagues from ITC, but he will live in the good memories they have.

Prof. Martien Molenaar
Rector
International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)Netherlands

During several meetings and symposia of EARSeL we had the chance to get to know Ferdinand Bonn as an outstanding scientist and a warm-hearted person. We are very sad to have lost such a wonderful person and keep his academic work and international engagement in memory.

Our compassion is with his family.

Gunter Menz & Matthias Braun
Germany, Bonn

To the Family of Ferdinand :

I am very sad and feel very sorry to learn about the accident and Ferdinand's death. I haven't known Ferdinand nearly as long as you do. It was only little more than a decade ago that we met in person. Soon we began comparing notes about our roots in Europe, immigration to and family life in the New World, and common colleagues in the field of geoscience and remote sensing on this and that side of the Atlantic Ocean. Following our 'trade' as busy geographers, our paths seem to cross frequently, at gatherings here in Canada and, more often than not, at far-flung places overseas. As one good colleague remarked, there were few meetings where one would not receive a friendly tap on the shoulder, turn around, and be greeted by Ferdinand's smile: "Ça va?" .. "Wie geht's?" .. or  "How are you?".

I never had the opportunity and privilege to meet Ferdinand's family, as we seemed too immersed pursuing our professional activities of remotely sensing the Earth.  My heart goes out to Line and the family in Sherbrooke, and to his mother in Strasbourg, grieving his sudden death that happened so far away from home.  You lost your dear son, husband, father. I respectfully offer my condolences to you. For many years, countless hours, and often weeks at a time, you have shared Ferdinand's company with his peers, students, and colleagues close to home and all over the world. We all owe you a deep debt of gratitude.

Over the past years there were a great number of occasions where I experienced in the course of my own work Ferdinand's "extended family", if I may call it that. A good number of university colleagues followed his pioneering work and far-sighted vision at CARTEL and have become professors in their own right. An entire generation of students was guided by his inquisitive mind, was taught in the emerging remote sensing field, and many of his graduates carried their newly acquired skills and ambitions far into the world.  With Ferdinand's passing, we all mourn the loss of a generous and inspiring colleague, teacher and mentor, in Québec, in Canada, and in many other places around the world, wherever satellites may fly. Adieu, Ferdinand.

Dirk WerleAERDE
Halifax, NS, Canada

I just heard the sad news of Ferdinand's passing. Although I did not know him very well I was always enjoyed seeing his passion for his work and his interest in the people around him. He will be sadly missed in the Remote Sensing community.

Please convey my sympathy to your colleagues and condolences to Dr Bonn's familly.

Sincerely.

Allan Hollinger,
Canadian Space Agency

Everyone at Hatfield was shocked to hear the sad news from Morocco regarding Ferdinand Bonn. I personally wish to send my sympathies to you and everyone at CARTEL for the loss of your friend and colleague. It was a privilege to meet Ferdinand in Vientiane last year, and it is a tragic loss for everyone who knew and respected Ferdinand.

Tom called me from his vacation today to express his shock at the news, and wished to pass on his condolences. He will call you next week to speak with you personally. Grant has also sent along his condolences from Laos.

Our thoughts and sympathizes are with Ferdinand's family during this difficult time.

Best regards, Andy Dean.
HATFIELD CONSULTANTS LTD.

I was shocked and very sad hearing the news of Ferdinand’s dead. We worked closely together in the Council of the European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories (EARSeL) and some Special Interest Groups where he always gave important input and advice and just recently developed a new cross-Atlantic strategy between EARSeL and Canada.

I very much appreciated always his important talks on conferences and workshops, being able to bring complex aspects and interactions within the environment to the point. The remote sensing community worldwide lost an extremely important and always friendly and enthusiastic person.

Ferdinand we will miss you so much!! My deepest sympathy is with his family.

Eberhard Parlow
University of Basel/Switzerland
and former President of EARSeL

It was a great shock to me to learn that Ferdinand past away. Ferdinand was a great scientist and a very warm and pleasant person. Ferdinand and I were working in the same field of research: the use of remote sensing for soil erosion and land degradation. We will miss him sorely.

My deepest sympathy for Ferdinand's wife and children.

Steven de Jong
Utrecht University
The Netherlands

Sincere condoleances for the loss of your colleague, Ferdinand Bonn.

Suzanne Roy
ISMER,
Université du Québec à Rimouski
Rimouski, Québec, Canada

With great sorrow we heard of the news about Ferdinand’s passing. From all his friends and colleagues on the other side of the world in Australia, we send warm thoughts of sympathy to his family, friends and close colleagues.

Alex Held
Australia

I was saddened to hear the news about Dr. Bonn. I met Ferdinand on many occasions over the years at conferences, and worked closely with him on one occasion as we co-authored a chapter in his Earth Observation for Environment textbook.

He was a great EO scientist - well known and respected in our national extended EO family.

We at Microsoft send our deepest condolences.

Bob Dams
Ottawa, Canada