in memoriam - Tamirie Hawando (1944-2002)

1944-2002

The Ethiopian community of soil scientists and agricultural experts suffered an irreplaceable and grievous loss when Dr. Tamirie Hawando, an outstanding soil scientist, educator and development expert suddenly died on January 2, 2002 at the age of 58. Dr. Tamirie Hawando was born in southern Ethiopia. Educated at the former Alemaya Agricultual College of the Haile Selassie I University from where he graduated with Great Distinction in 1969 winning the Chancellor’s Gold Medal. Recruited as a Graduate Assistant, Tamirie briefly served in the college before he was sent to Florida State Unversity for a M.Sc. degree in soil science. Continuing with his career development, Dr. Tamirie got his PhD in Soil Science from the Kansas State University in the USA in 1977. His scientific interestes were in the field of soil genesis and classification, soil management and land use, and plant nutrition. Dr. Tamirie authored and co-authored more than 100 publications in the fields of soil science, natural resource conservation, environmental protection and integrated rural development. He was a member of the Ethiopian Society of Soil Science, the African Society of Soil Science, the American Society of Soil Science, the American Crop Science Society and the Sigma Zeta, Gamma Sigma, Delta and Alfa Zeta honorary agricultural fraternities.

After completing his PhD, he worked at both Alemaya and Addis Ababa Universities where he rose to different posts, including lecturer, assistant professor and associate professor. He served as Department Head, Associate Dean for Postgraduate Studies, and Research and Development Vice President of the Alemaya University. An evolution in his career developed in the mid-nineties when he became more and more involved in international rural development and natural resource conservation activities. It was after this rich experience that he opened his own firm, Taamer Consult, which was the first of its kind in the country in terms of multi-disciplinary consultancy activities involving sustainable natural resources, environmental protection, integrated rural development, agricultural research and training. He was in high demand in the country and abroad with assignments in many countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Japan, Niger, Somalia, Rwanda, Indonesia and Sudan and also served as a consultant to many international organizatins such as the FAO, UNDP, UNEP, USAID and other bilaterally funded projects.

Dr. Tamirie is missed not only by his beloved family, relations and friends, but by the country at large. He passed away at the prime of his life and creative work following a brief but tragic illness while on duty in his office.

Tekalign Mamo and Taye Bekele

Ethiopian Society of Soil Science