Obituary: Sir Charles Fleming

Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 4, 1 November 1987, Page 40

Obituary: Sir Charles Fleming

Dr

former Society President.

Alan Edmonds,

Sir Charles died suddenly, aged 71, on 11 September 1987, and conservation, international sciences, the Society and legions of friends mourn his absence. One of that small company of internationally eminent New Zealanders, Sir Charles was always a generous friend and supporter of the Society, just as he gave his support to so many individuals, groups and causes. In his particular fields of palaeontology and ornithology Sir Charles pioneered in New Zealand and his contributions to biogeography, in which he brought together many of his scientific interests, were most original and provocative. Others will write of his major scientific work and of his promotion of the Royal Society of New Zealand of which he was President from 1962 to 1966. His KBE, awarded in 1977 for his contribution to science in New Zealand, was the most public honour but throughout his career he attracted high scientific honours from the world centres of learning culminating in fellowship of the Royal Society (London), that most prestigious of awards. Many in the Society will remember Sir Charles for his enthusiasm for and knowledge of ornithology, an interest originally stimulated by Dick Sibson at Kings College. Bird watching trips with Sir Charles were a delight. Energy, precise information, humour, and that great curiosity which marks all naturalists were abundant. And the evening sessions accompanied by a medicinal whisky were a feast. Anecdotes from around the world and extraordinary catholic tastes in science and familiarity with its practitioners made evenings in the field, most often on islands, one of this life’s most civilised experiences. In all his work Sir Charles was unaffected by the position or

power of others. The idea, the experience of the moment was the thing and it didn’t matter who you were, you were accorded the honour of his interest, help and support. So many of us have been thus rewarded and helped in our careers and always without any fuss. Then there was Sir Charles’ legendary correspondence: with so many people, in so many places, on so many topics, and so energetically. We shall all look forward to the publication of a selection of that correspondence, a rich vein of discovery. Sir Charles’ support for the Society and for conservation during those turbulent days from 1978 through to the early 1980s was one of the pivots about which the Society turned. Speaking on those harsh public platforms around the country about Pureora, Whirinaki and other issues of the time, Sir Charles made a major contribution. As a member of the Society's Executive during the period under the presidency of Tony Ellis when so much redirection occurred Sir Charles gave of his time and energy in what he knew to be a good cause. His support for environmental reorganisation was equally unstinting. At the environmental forum in 1985 his impassioned concluding speech brought the old legislative chamber in Parliament to its feet. ‘‘New Zealanders have no confidence in the record or promises of the developer departments. Please let us have a nature conservancy holding those lands we rank as precious for all New Zealanders. If you do, this green dot can die happy." I believe that Sir Charles died happy. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Peg, and his daughters and their families. New Zealand has lost a great man and so many of us have lost a dear friend.