J.H.V. van Baren, a long-term officer and first class leader in the ISSS and IUSS, has made major contributions to the Soil Map of the World and has been instrumental in the establishment and development of the unique World Soil Museum (ISRIC) in Wageningen. Dr. van Baren joined FAO-Unesco, working on the FAO-Unesco Soil Map of the World. Its completion in the mid 1970s is by many regarded as an important milestone in soil science. Later, van Baren conducted soil surveys in Bangladesh for FAO for two years before being posted to Kenya to assist with the development of the national soil survey institute. With his Dutch colleagues, (a.o. Dr. W. Sombroek) the first soil reconnaissance of the whole country was made followed by detailed mapping of areas of high agricultural potential. van Baren collected and prepared soil monoliths during his tenure with the International Soil Museum (ISM, now ISRIC following the classification of the FAO-Unesco Soil Map of the World). These monoliths were the foundation of the unique ISRIC collection of today, with over 900 soil profiles. The transfer of the International Soil Museum from Utrecht to Wageningen took place in 1978. In addition to the work on monoliths, van Baren was concerned with developing the display of soil monoliths in the exhibition hall. This display was based upon the categories of the Legend of the FAO-Unesco Soil Map of the World, extending the fascinating work he began with Dr Dudal in Rome. van Baren started the book review section of the ISSS Bulletin in the early 1970s. Each year the number of reviews grew and in the 1990s, he reviewed 100 to 150 books annually for the Bulletin. Many readers of the Bulletins have indicated that they found the book review section the most useful and informative part of the Bulletin. Elected Deputy Secretary General of the ISSS in 1990, he became heavily involved in the day-to-day management of the society including its transformation to a union (IUSS). He has been supportive in national soil science societies, particularly in developing countries and has maintained a wide global network of soil scientists. In 2002, he officially retired from his Deputy Secretary General post of the IUSS, but he continues to review books for the IUSS Bulletin.

Hans passed away on the 27th January 2009.

photo: Harco Jellema