I was shocked and saddened to read this, I’m passing it on without comment because I can’t write about this at this moment. See update below.
Joe Bast writes:
It is with deep regret that I report the passing of a friend, colleague, and great scholar, Dr. Robert M. Carter. Bob died peacefully in a hospital surrounded by family and friends following a heart attack a few days ago. He was 74 years old.
Funeral arrangements are being made and it will most likely take place on Monday next week in Townsville, Australia.
This is almost unspeakably sad. Bob was the very embodiment of the “happy warrior” in the global warming debate. He was a scholar’s scholar, with impeccable credentials (including a Ph.D. from Cambridge), careful attention to detail, and a deep understanding of and commitment to the scientific method. He endured the slings and arrows of the anti-science Left with seeming ease and good humor and often warned against resorting to similar tactics to answer them.
Bob never failed to answer the call to defend climate science, getting on planes to make the long flight from Australia to the U.S., to Paris, and to other lands without complaints or excuses. He was a wonderful public speaker and a charming traveling mate. He was not an easy man to edit, though – he kept wanting to put unnecessary commas, “that’s,” and boldfacing back into his manuscripts – but the great ones never are.
Bob helped immeasurably with three volumes in the Climate Change Reconsidered series, a series of hefty compilations of scientific research he coauthored and coedited with Craig D. Idso and S. Fred Singer. Just a few weeks ago, he flew to Paris to speak at Heartland’s “Day of Examining the Data” and contributed to the completion and review of another book, Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming: The NIPCC Report on Scientific Consensus.
We honored Bob with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 10th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-10) in Washington DC last June. I regret that I missed that event due to the sudden onset of shingles, and so missed the opportunity to see my friend as well as publicly recognize his great achievements in science.
Please remember Bob and his wonderful wife, Anne, in your thoughts and prayers.
More here: http://blog.heartland.org/2016/01/dr-robert-m-carter-r-i-p/
Added:
Jo Nova has a far better tribute than I could ever write: http://joannenova.com.au/2016/01/bob-carter-a-great-man-gone-far-too-soon/
UPDATE: I have gathered my thoughts.
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” ― Isaac Asimov
Discover more from Watts Up With That?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues on this loss. And it’s true–serious writers do resist editing!
Indeed. The frailty of life becomes so apparent in situations like these.
A great loss.
Given the anti-science agenda of the first commenter on this thread, I interject this quote from Bob Carter:
(Source: The Science of Deceit by Bob Carter, 2012, http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/10/25/bob-carter-with-a-down-under-view-of-climate-science/ )
What will be said of Bob Carter when history sifts out the wheat from the chaff and the truth is finally universally known which will not be said of the AGWers of today?
Bob Carter was a SCIENTIST.
A scholar’s scholar INDEED. He shall be missed beyond words.
Yes, he will indeed be sorely missed. He helped me with climate information some years ago and I was able to reciprocate by offering a book review to his excellent ‘Climate: The Counter Consensus’ in the NZ Geological Society Newsletter after the NIWA government ‘scientists’ had slammed it because it questioned their pseudo science.
I wonder how many are aware Bob was the subject of an excellent play “The Heretic” a few years ago. Details at:
http://www.atc.co.nz/media/271115/atc-heretic-programme_vweb.pdf
I know it played in Australia and here in NZ but not sure if it made it to North America or the UK.
Awesome-I just ordered a copy of the play form Amazon. It actually premiered in England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heretic_(play)
I’m shocked and I will miss Bob Carter.
Dang!
I met Bob Carter at the climate conference in Stockholm in 2006. A great loss, my condolences to family and friends.
I just saw a pointer to Jo Nova’s page.
Bob was among best voices of reason we had and was the first scientist I contacted after I decided to get active. We’ll miss him terribly.
Me too, Ric. Bob had been a great friend ever since. I’m still in shock – the news was in the first email I saw this morning and left me reeling.
I shall raise a glass of red wine (Bob’s favorite) this evening to a wonderfully rational, sensible scientist and dear friend.
All who care to do the same, around the world (whatever your time zone), are welcome to join me in saying goodbye to Bob. He will be sorely missed.
Susan Crockford, on the Canadian west coast.
Cheers form Ontario ! Great warriors never die, they just slowly fade from our memories ….
Having my wine now…
Here’s to you Bob – you did good.
Hugs to Anne and Izzie (the dog), who I knew only from pictures.
Susan
polarbearscience on January 19, 2016 at 10:22 am
– – – – – – –
polarbearscience,
Yes, a toast. With glass in hand now at cocktail hour in Mountain View California, I drink to his a lasting legacy. I am encouraged that such a man lived in my times.
John
A top scientist and orator – a true seeker of facts and truth. He will be greatly missed in our real science world. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Any chance of someone setting up a condolance page that we can all sign?
I would do it but have no idea how.
Reblogged this on Wolsten and commented:
“A great climate warrior”
RIP
RIP, Dr. Carter.
An early hero of mine.
===============
Rest in Peace, Dr. Carter. The good fight will carry on.
I remember Bob Carter as being one of the early prominent sceptics. He made the case ‘against’ brilliantly and always seemed to be scrupulously fair in his explanations. Condolences to his wife and family.
So sad, his warmth and intelligence came through strongly in his many ‘film’ clips.
As someone who lived in Townsville, 1976-80, I feel proud to have known of him.
;_;
Another truly great man has left us.
I agree, Richard.
RIP, Bob. ☹
I don’t know what to say… May his work and memory live on.
Although I never knew or met this man personally, I believe that he will be missed more than we (CAGW science skeptics) will ever realize. He won’t easily be forgotten.
All my best to his family and friends.
Dale
I like to watch his seminars on youtube sometimes. I found him to be a good speaker. Sadly I will never have a chance to meet him now. RIP Bob.
For example, edited to 38 minutes
Kudos to those who recorded and posted for posterity.
Very refreshing to see a real scientist show his stuff.
Hi first sentence in the interview says so much.
I’ve had the pleassure of his company at several ICCC meetings and other occasions and Bob’s just a downright nice guy and a gentle genius.
Nice guys can, and do, finish first.
This video is the first contact I had with the great global warming scam. Thank you Dr Carter, you will be missed.
So very sad to read of Bob’s passing. He was certainly one of the good guys. Not just a loss to his family and friends with whom my deepest and sincerest condolences lie, but a loss to the science community, and truth, as a whole.
The science of Geology has lost one of its most durable rocks.
My condolences to his family and all friends down under… What a loss for the skeptic community!
Exactly what I would have said.
I saw a post a few days ago and at that time Bob was in an induced coma. My wife lived through such an experience and had a good outcome. I was told she might not live. This was a very hard time.
Joe Bast wrote: “Please remember Bob and his wonderful wife, Anne, in your thoughts and prayers.” Done.
Wish I could write something helpful.
Now I’m tearing up.
Prayer is doing something helpful. Prayer is not empty words.
I’m praying for his family and those who knew him, many that are here.
Dr. Robert Carter, a great man who embodied the best of the Australian Character, leaving his mark for the good of mankind. Fair Dinkum.
So shocked We will all miss you, dearly departed. I will always watch you on the Net. Rest In peace Bob.
Oh no – truly a loss … he will be missed.