in memoriam - Emmanuel Servat (1922-2001)

Prof. Emmanuel Servat

1922-2001

Emmanuel Eugene Servat was born on January 14, 1922 in Biert, France. He started studying agronomy in 1941, but due to the war he had to interrupt his studies.

After the war he was among the first students to be admitted at the ecole Nationale d’Agriculture of Montpellier, in 1945. In 1946 he received the title “Ingenieur Agricole” as well as the title “Licenci des Sciences”, as he had at the same time followed a course of studies at the University.

At the ecole Nationale d’Agriculture he joined the Laboratory of Geology and Physics. From 1952 to 1954 he worked in Lebanon, where he acquired a lot of useful experience. After his return to Montpellier he became director of the Laboratory of Geology and Physics, and in 1964 he was made full professor. At that time Prof. Servat strongly furthered cartographic work, insisting that the legends to the soil maps should not only contain the scientifc terms, but also explanations accessible to the broad public.

Due to his extraordinary professional experience, he was invited to various countries, e.g. Italy, Belgium and Spain. He took part in a number of congresses and published on his own or in collaboration with other colleagues several articles on methodological questions of cartography.

Prof. Servat was an excellent teacher, easy to listen to, who used to illustrate his lectures with many examples from his broad practical experience. He was loved and admired by his many students. Even after his retirement, he worked indefatigably, e.g. for the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine), throughout the south of France.

It must also be mentioned that he was made Chevalier du Merite Agricole (1954), Officier (1973), Chevalier des palmes Academiques (1964) and he also received the “Merite Libanais”. He was a corresponding member of the French Academy of Agriculture and from 1977 to 1987 he was a member of the scientific committee of the Cevennes National Park.

The secret of Prof. Servat’s success was his strong will, his impressing personality, his experience and his ability to take the right decisions. Prof. Servat will always be remembered as one of the great soil scientists of France.

(shortened from: Bulletin de Liaison de l’Association Francaise pour l’Etude du Sol, No. 62 mars 2002, J.-P. Legros, M. Bornand, G. Callot, J.-C. Favrot, J. Servant)

IN MEMORIAM

Prof. Emmanuel Servat

1922-2001

Emmanuel Eugéne Servat was born on January 14, 1922 in Biert, France. He started studying agronomy in 1941, but due to the war he had to interrupt his studies.

After the war he was among the first students to be admitted at the Ècole Nationale d’Agriculture of Montpellier, in 1945. In 1946 he received the title “Ingénieur Agricole” as well as the title “Licencié des Sciences”, as he had at the same time followed a course of studies at the University.

At the École Nationale d’Agriculture he joined the Laboratory of Geology and Physics. From 1952 to 1954 he worked in Lebanon, where he acquired a lot of useful experience. After his return to Montpellier he became director of the Laboratory of Geology and Physics, and in 1964 he was made full professor. At that time Prof. Servat strongly furthered cartographic work, insisting that the legends to the soil maps should not only contain the scientifc terms, but also explanations accessible to the broad public.

Due to his extraordinary professional experience, he was invited to various countries, e.g. Italy, Belgium and Spain. He took part in a number of congresses and published é on his own or in collaboration with other colleagues é several articles on methodological questions of cartography.

Prof. Servat was an excellent teacher, easy to listen to, who used to illustrate his lectures with many examples from his broad practical experience. He was loved and admired by his many students. Even after his retirement, he worked indefatigably, e.g. for the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine), throughout the south of France.

It must also be mentioned that he was made Chevalier du M?rite Agricole (1954), Officier (1973), Chevalier des palmes Acad?miques (1964) and he also received the “Mérite Libanais”. He was a corresponding member of the French Academy of Agriculture and from 1977 to 1987 he was a member of the scientific committee of the C?vennes National Park.

The secret of Prof. Servat’s success was his strong will, his impressing personality, his experience and his ability to take the right decisions. Prof. Servat will always be remembered as one of the great soil scientists of France.

(shortened from: Bulletin de Liaison de l’Association Francaise pour l’Etude du Sol, No. 62 ? mars 2002, J.-P. Legros, M. Bornand, G. Callot, J.-C. Favrot, J. Servant)