*Please note that messages from Guy’s colleagues at MeteoFrance are included first; the remaining messages appear in the order in which they were received.*
J’ai peu travaillé de façon continue avec Guy, mais nos chemins se sont assez souvent croisés, un peu lorsque j’étais dans l’équipe de direction de l’Ecole Nationale de la Météorologie, plus régulièrement lorsque je fus ensuite directeur adjoint de la recherche de Météo-France, et, récemment, au titre de mes fonctions actuelles de chargé de mission pour les Ingénieurs des Ponts et Chaussées en poste à Météo-France.
C’est en mémoire de ces contacts, toujours hauts en couleurs et animés, que, dans les circonstances douloureuses qu’ils traversent, je tiens à présenter à sa famille et à ses proches l’assurance de ma profonde sympathie, et mes condoléances bien sincères.
Gérard De Moor
MétéoFrance
J’ai beaucoup de peine à l’annonce de cette triste nouvelle. J’avais beaucoup travaillé avec Guy durant les années 80 et j’en ai gardé un excellent souvenir à la fois professionnel et personnel. Je transmets à tous ceux qui lui étaient proches mes très sincères condoléances.
Yves Durand
MétéoFrance
Lorsque j’ai appris la terrible nouvelle j’étais empêché de faire quoique ce soit, je remercie Pascal Brunel d’avoir donné cette photo où je suis avec Guy. Cette photo témoigne publiquement de l’estime mutuelle très profonde que nous nous portions.
Guy m’a toujours étonné par sa détermination et sa compétence. Je tiens à signaler avec quel brio il a transposé la protection des fréquences actives (Télécommunications) au tout nouveau domaine de la protection des fréquences passives (Télédétection). Au delà du simple calcul, cela demande une connaissance scientifique approfondie tant au niveau des capteurs que de la physique de l’environnement. Grâce à Guy Rochard des moyens de surveillance par satellite de notre environnement ont été protégés et seront encore disponibles malgré des pressions commerciales voire autres.
Sur le plan personnel Guy m’a aidé à combattre la maladie par ses encouragements très fermes. Merci Guy.
Je souhaite exprimer mes sincères condoléances à sa famille, à ses amis et mes anciens collègues. Comme on dit en Bretagne « Kenavo Guy »
English Translation:
When hearing of Guy’s sudden passing I was unable to do anything. I thank Pascal Brunel for providing the picture of Guy and I. This picture shows the deep regard we have for each other.
Guy has always amazed me by his determination and his proficiency. I want to note how good did he manage to switch from the active frequencies protection process (Telecommunications) to the passive frequencies protection process (Remote sensing). More than computation ability this needs to have a deep knowledge in sensors area as well as in the environment behaviour. Thanks to Guy Rochard space environment monitoring capabilities have been registered and will remain available in the future despite commercial lobbying or worst.
From a personal point of view to mention how kindly but firmly Guy helps me to fight a cancer. Thanks Guy.
I wish to express sincere condolences to his family, his friends and my formers colleagues. As we use to say in Brittany “Kenavo Guy”.
Jean-Francois AUREJAC
former Senior Technical Advisor at CMS, Lannion, Meteo-France
For Guy, from his French colleagues….For Guy Rochard, I was one his French colleagues, same generation, starting to work with him on assimilation of satellite data in the seventies, in Paris, then Reading, then Toulouse. Guy was always keen to teach me more about subtle properties of satellite data. I learnt a lot through him. He was always keen to learn more about data assimilation and to understand more the “satellite user problems”. His enthusiastic approach was pushing me to extract more from the satellite data, me and many other French colleagues who feel as sad as me.
We will miss Guy a lot.
Jean Pailleux
MétéoFrance CNRM
Je suis très ému par le décès de Guy qui est un exemple de combativité et qui fait partie de mes amis de Lannion.
Daniel Breton, retraité du CNES qui a bien connu Guy dans le domaine de la protection des fréquences m’a appelé ce matin et m’a fait part de sa tristesse.
Tu peux assurer la famille de Guy que nous le regrettons beaucoup.
Bien amicalement,
Fernand Karcher
MétéoFrance CNRM
We are very sorry to hear the bad news. Guy is one of our best friends. He gave us a lot of help on TOVS work. Particularly, Guy took care so much when we visited CMS/Lannion. We’ll remember him forever. Please send our best wishes to his wife and his families.
ZHANG Fengying & RAN Maonong
CMA/NSMC of China
I have been very grieved in learning the death of our friend Guy. I remember him very well as one of the most active members and co-chairman of ITWG since the first meetings and more recently in the field of frequency protection, also in the framework of EUMETNET programmes. I would like to express to his family my sincere condolences.
Paolo Pagano
Italian Meteorological Service
In the late 1980’s – early 1990’s my colleagues and I at NASA developed WetNet, the first near real time passive microwave satellite remote distribution system. Guy was a leader getting the European community involved in this new data distribution system. We processed the SSM/I data on a daily basis and distributed the data by modem and/or magneto-optical disk. This was the forerunner of the Earth science data distribution system we have today. I was fortunate to visit Guy in Roscoff and worked with him on WetNet. He was the perfect host and great gentlemen.
I speak for many in the NASA community who will miss his leadership and presence in the Earth science community.
Sincerely,
Michael Goodman
NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center
Here in FUNCEME- Fortaleza-Brazil, we are very sorry to hear the bad news about our friend Guy. He had a pleasant personality and made many friends here at FUNCEME.
As said by ZHANG and RAN, we’ll remember him forever. Our sincere condolences to his family.
Antonio Geraldo Ferreira
FUNCEME-Fortaleza-Brazil
Guy Rochard always showed strong support for my work and was a key person for my integration in the French research community in the mid-nineties. I traveled several times to Lannion to discuss atmospheric radiative transfer modeling with him and his group and he always was the perfect host.
I join the community in deeply regretting his loss.
Juan R. Pardo
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas – Madrid (Spain)
Those of us at AER who knew Guy as a friend and colleague are saddened to learn of his passing. Guy was a passionate and dedicated contributor to this community as well as a charming individual. We will all miss him. Our condolences go to his family.
Nous tous à AER qui connaissions Guy en temps que collègue et ami, sommes profondément peinés par sa disparition. Guy était un membre passionné et dévoué de la communauté scientifique, ainsi qu’une personne d’une gentillesse hors paire. Il nous manquera énormément. Toutes nos condoléances à sa famille.
Ron Isaacs, Executive Vice President
AER
Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
J’ai rencontré Guy pour la première fois il y a 12 ans, quand j’étais au LMD, lors de la conférence ITSC-VII à Igls, en Autriche, un jour de neige comme aujourd’hui dans le Massachusetts. J’ai toujours été touchée par son humour, sa convivialité et sa gentillesse. Sa façon passionnée et pugnace de défendre les fréquences microondes contre les fréquences radio m’a toujours ébahie, ainsi que son attachement et son combat pour le partage des informations scientifiques, seule façon de faire vraiment avancer les choses. C’était quelqu’un que j’aimais beaucoup. Je suis profondément bouleversée par sa disparition si brutale et inattendue. Je n’arrive pas à me dire qu’il n’est plus là, que je ne recevrai plus de temps en temps de petits messages concernant le travail toujours bien sympathiques et très amicaux. Ça va être difficile. J’aimerais que toute sa famille et ses proches sachent combien il était apprécié de tous ceux qui le connaissaient, à travers le monde entier. Qu’ils sachent combien je partage leur peine, combien nous la partageons tous.
English translation:
I met Guy for the first time 12 years ago, while I was at LMD, at ITSC-VII in Igls, Austria, on a snowy day like today in Massachusetts. I’ve always been very touched by his sense of humor, his conviviality and his kindness. His passion and pugnacity in defending microwave frequencies against radio frequencies have always amazed me, as well as his strong will and fight for information and knowledge to be shared among the members of our community, only way to get things moving. It was someone I loved dearly. I am so moved by his so sudden death. It is really hard to think that I will never see him again, nor I will receive from time to time an email from him dealing with work but always in a very friendly manner. It is going to be tough. I would like his whole family to know how much he was appreciated and cherished by all the people who knew him, all over the world. I would like them to know how much I will miss him, how much we will ALL miss him.
Hélène RIEU-ISAACS
AER
Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
It makes me really sad to hear this. He was a rare person and beyond the
personal loss which must be tremendous for you and your colleageues we have all
lost his ceaseless and selfless engagement for frequency protection.
Anke Thoss
SMHI
J’avais eu l’occasion de travailler directement avec Guy Rochard pendant ma thèse il y a une quinzaine d’année. Depuis, je l’avais rencontré à quelques conférences et je suivais son activité à travers les Emails réguliers a l’ITWG.
J’ai toujours beaucoup apprécié Guy, ses qualités de dynamisme, de simplicité, et surtout son coté chaleureux. Je ne peux oublier que, tout jeune thésard, il avait pris le temps de me ballader dans Lannion tout en m’exposant les activités du CMS.
Sa mort soudaine est donc un choc douloureux. Je vous prie de bien vouloir transmettre mes condoléances et ma sympathie à sa famille et collègues.
Bien cordialement
Francois-Marie BREON
CEA/DSM/LSCE
France
Please send his family a sign of my deepest sorrow for Guy missing to all of us.
Rolando Rizzi
University of Bologna
Italy
I want to express my condolences to Guy’s family and MeteoFrance.
Sincerely
Miguel A. Martinez
Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (I.N.M.)
Madrid, SPAIN
Nombre d’entre nous au LMD connaissons Guy Rochard depuis de nombreuses années. Nous avons toujours apprécié son dynamisme et sa passion pour la météorologie satellitaire. Il a rendu de nombreux services à notre communauté, en particulier ces dernières années par son engagement pour la défense des fréquences microondes d’observation de l’atmosphère.
Nous sommes attérés par sa disparition subite, et nous transmettons à sa famille et à ses collègues et amis nos sincères condoléances.
Michel Desbois et ses collaborateurs
LMD
France
Nous sommes très tristes au Bureau des Fréquence du CNES d’apprendre la mort de
Guy. C’était un grand défenseur des fréquences passives et même si son style
pouvait parfois heurter certaines sensibilités, il ne laissait pas indifférent
et faisait vraiment bouger les choses. Nous avons collaboré très activement avec
Guy ces dernières années lors de nos réunions à la CEPT, à l’UIT ou au SFCG et
il était un élément indispensable de nos reflexions. La dernière réunion du SFCG
à Pekin portait la marque de Guy qui avait milité activement pour son
organisation. Sa passion, son franc-parler mais aussi sa bonne humeur et sa
gentillesse nous manqueront beaucoup.
Pouvez-vous transmettre nos condoléances à sa famille et à ses proches.
Meilleures Salutations – Best Regards
Vincent Meens
CNES
France
C’est avec une immense tristesse que j’apprends que Guy nous a brusquement quitté. Il était, de très longue date, un collègue de travail et d’échanges scientifiques toujours renouvelés et fructueux, mais il était avant tout un ami dont le souvenir restera toujours présent.
Je partage la peine de sa famille et je lui transmets mes plus sincères condoléances.
Nicole Jacquinet
LMD, France
Je suis très peinée d’apprendre cette triste nouvelle. Guy était plein d’énergie il y a encore si peu de temps à propos de la défense des fréquences microondes. Il va manquer à notre communauté.
Transmets mes condoléances à sa famille et à ses proches,
Amicalement
Catherine Prigent
CNRS, LERMA
Observatoire de Paris
France
We are so saddened by the loss of wonderful scientist, we will miss his warmth and zeal.
Dongsoo Kim and colleagues from
NESDIS/NCDC
So often, the papers I found most useful were written by Guy Rochard.
On behalf of myself, and many of my colleagues in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, I want express sincere condolences to the family.
Randolph G. Arbeiter
Raytheon Company
Omaha, NE, USA
I have known Guy for just about the whole of my working life. From early TOVS meetings to various international workshops, Guy was always so animated and involved and a great person to have dinner with. Atmospheric remote sensing in Australia will miss him – I will too.
Regards,
Fred Prata
CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research 107-121 Station Street
Aspendale, Victoria, Australia
One often learns about the significance of an individual’s life when they leave us for the peace of eternity. The “sad news” emails received from the Guy’s friends and associates throughout the world reveal how much he did for others and was loved by all who came into contact with him. The ITOVS working group was one of the organizations that he worked through to make our world a better place to live. Guy provided much of the energy that fueled the ITWG. He pioneered the research in the use satellite AVHRR imagery to improve the TOVS sounding product and his tireless efforts to preserve the availability of the frequencies that we use for microwave remote sensing. Possibly most important to the ITWG, however, was Guy’s influence and generous assistance to help others, throughout the world, to participate in our ITOVS science. He was an inspiration and mentor to many students and young scientists from other countries, in addition to his own. He made it possible for them to travel abroad to university and government research centers to enhance their knowledge and experience. Many of us were fortunate to be able to help mentor Guy’s students and associates from abroad and have the opportunity to develop lasting friendships and associations with them that we otherwise would not enjoy. Guy was an amazing promoter of international cooperation in development of our scientists, as well as our science.
Guy was such a fundamental part of the ITWG that it is hard to imagine participating in an ITSC without him; may his spirit remain with us always.
Bill Smith Sr.
Hampton University/University of Wisconsin-Madison
We understand that the loss of Guy Rochard is hard for you to bear. For this reason, we would like to express our deepest sympathy for all of you who now have to go on with the work at CMS without Guy being amongst you. Although we have not had so much of direct contacts with Guy, it has been obvious for us how important he has been for the international meteorological satellite community and, especially, for you at CMS in Lannion. Guy really made a difference through his engagement, both at CMS and on the international arena, and this is something we all should remember and keep in our hearts as an inspiration.
Our thoughts go to all of you and to Guy’s family
Yours sincerely
Karl-Göran, Adam and Anke
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)
Norrköping, Sweden
We are very sorry to hear the bad news in MSC. I have known Guy Rochard since the 7th ITSC 1993, Igls. Even I am not so familiar with Guy, he was a very nice gentleman and active scientist, and a great defender for the passive microwave community. I want to express sincere condolences to his family.
Peter K.H. Wang
Deputy Director
Meteorological Satellite Center/Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan
As a previous co-chair of ITWG I too can attest to the wonderful contribution that Guy has made to the remote sensing/sounding community over the many years of his involvement – not just by what he has done, but by who he was as a person. He has made so many contributions: – from science leadership to frequency protection – and all with his unique flair… and tenacity.
Guy has had a long association with New Zealand; he visited soon after we installed our HRPT receiver in 1980 – and he is remembered with much kindeness.
Our greetings and condolences go to his family and colleagues.
Sincerely,
Michael Uddstrom
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
New Zealand
It is with much sadness that we within the NOAA spectrum community learned of Guy’s death.
He will always be remembered as a champion for the protection of passive sensing frequencies, strongly supporting NOAA’s 2005 passive microwave workshop. His passion and unrelenting fervor for this cause is an example for all of us to emulate in our own endeavors. Guy’s gentle persuasion will be greatly missed in our group.
I enjoyed his company at many radio frequency meetings. Guy was always the perfect host, most notably at SFCG-24 held in Perros-Guirec, and he was always the most gracious guest as well, most recently at our workshop here in Washington, D. C.
The entire NOAA spectrum group grieves the loss of our colleague, Guy. We extend to his family our most sincere condolences.
Dave McGinnis
NOAA
I first met Guy in the early 80’s when I was dealing with AVHRR dissemination in France. And then many times and on many occasions around the ITU, ITWG, EUMETNET and frequency allocation business. I have always been impressed by his dedication to the job and our “cause,” his good spirit and friendliness. He played a very significant role and will be difficult to replace. I must say I will dearly miss him.
Please send our best wishes to his wife and family.
Yann Kerr
CNES, France
As a CNES engineer, I have been working closely with Guy since 1993 on the touchy issue of frequency protection for passive sensors. Since then the situation has very significantly improved, thanks to Guy’s unfailing commitment and pugnacity. During these years I appreciated also his very generous character. He was a friend.
Daniel Breton, formerly french space agency
Je n’ai jamais travaillé directement avec Guy mais j’ai eu l’occasion de le
rencontrer plusieurs fois à Lorne, à Denver, à Pékin et de discuter avec lui et
son grand copain Bernard. J’ai bien vu combien il était influent et apprécié
dans la communauté et combien il est regretté. J’aimerais me joindre à tous ceux
qui présentent leurs sincères condoléance à sa famille.
Denis Blumstein
CNES, France
My deepest sadness upon hearing of Guy’s sudden and untimely passing. I have known Guy more than 25 years – he was a remarkable person both in science and humanitarian sense. It is a vast loss for all engaged in remote sensing activities. On behalf of myself, and many my colleagues in Russia.
I want express sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Alexander B.Uspensky
SRC Planeta, Roshydromet
Moscow, Russia
Receiving the totally unexpected news from M. Roquet, I am shocked and sad to hear that Guy has passed away. During many years I have worked very close with Guy and have always regarded him as a close friend. Guy was very dedicated to the protection of passive sensors and was very gifted to make problems in this area aware to the scientific world and to public. During many Radio Conferences and associated preperatory meetings we were working closely together. I will miss him.
I would like to pass my condolences to his family.
Robert Wolf
I am very sad. I was very lucky to know Guy, not only for his science but, much more, for his humanity. I would like his family to please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely,
Luigi De Leonibus
Ufficio Generale per La Meteorologia Via Centocelle 301, 00175,
Roma, Italia
I have many memories of Guy – sharing physics books, exchanging music, looking at pictures of his Nancy (his granddaughter) and my Nancy (my wife), tasting cheeses and wines, dancing in my living room, walking around his home town, talking on the telephone (which always seemed to be nearby for him), and sharing advising responsibilities for students from all over. Guy was a teacher of physics, a protector of frequencies, a chairman of the International TOVS Working group, a seeker of knowledge, an enjoyer of life, and a friend. I will miss him.
My thoughts are with his family; may they be consoled by many good memories.
Paul Menzel
NOAA/NESDIS
I was stunned and deeply saddened by news of Guy’s passing. I always enjoyed his passion for all things, but especially for protection of microwave frequencies! He was a force for good that will be surely missed.
With deepest condolences for his family and with fond memories,
Jeff Puschell
Raytheon Strategic Systems
El Segundo, CA, USA
I received this sad news in Bangkok for the UNEP/ABC science team meeting. Still I cannot believe his sudden passing away, because I just sent him the following message from the International Radiation Commission (IRC) to appreciate his effort on the ITWG, after I received his notice on the ITWG activity on 18 Nov. 2005. He had been acting as an IRC/ ITWG working group chair and has been very active in the working group activities until now. We, IRC, express deep condolences on this sad event, and like to extend our great appreciation to his contribution to the communities. We wish that his family members and those who loved Guy Rochard recover from this sorrow as quick as possible. We, IRC, will succeed his effort and his will to attain a great success in the remote sensing studies.
Terry Nakajima,
President IRC
( Message from Terry to Guy: Hi Guy, Thanks for the ITWG effort to provide the community with very useful information of on-going events regarding the remote sounding instrumentations and studies. The working group looks very active owing to your effort. Thanks.)
I am shocked and saddened to hear this sad news. Guy kindly talked to me and taught me a lot of things when I first attended TOVS meeting at Budapest. Also he helped us introduce AAPP. A few weeks ago he gave me a call where he suggested the collaboration between China and Japan on satellite data assimilation. I deeply appreciate his kindness and commitment. Like all of you, I was lucky to know Guy.
I would like to send to his family my sincere condolences.
Sincerely,
Kozo Okamoto
Japan Meteorological Agency
We are deeply saddened by news of Guy’s passing. He gave us lots of help on our TOVS work. Dr. Guy Rochard will live in our heart forever. We want to express sincere condolences to his family.
Songyan Gu
on behalf of ATOVS Working Group
NSMC, Beijing, China
WMO mourns the loss of a dedicated contributor who always had the best interests of WMO Members at heart. Guy’s zeal and professional acumen were cornerstones in the sounding community. He lead the International TOVS Working Group not only as a Chairman but as an enthusiastic participant in many of the areas. His enthusiasm was infectious. He motivated and led an effort to protect radio frequency allocations necessary for our work. The realignment of the 50GHz band several years ago is a direct testimony to Guy’s leadership and this will be a lasting legacy. He always would work with WMO’s best interests at heart and kept the WMO Space Programme constantly aware of emerging issues. We will certainly miss a true friend.
Donald Hinsman
WMO, Geneva, Switzerland
Je suis egalement tres triste. Nous n avons pas toujours ete d accord avec Guy, mais j appreciais chez lui sa gentillesse et son humour. Sans parler de la tenacité avec laquelle il a defendu les causes dont il était le champion. Dommage! J imagine le vide qu il va laisser et garderai en memoire tous ces moments chaleureux connus à l epoque de DEMOS.
Amitiés
Thierry Phulpin
CNES, France
Je viens de prendre connaissance de cette triste et subite nouvelle ..
Mes collegues Africains qui l on cotoyé (ITWG , fluvap, .. ) se joignent a mon émotion dans ces moments douloureux en gardant en memoire ses actions pour ses idées .. et s associe a l ensemble des collegues et amis dans les marques de sympathie pour sa famille
Dominique DAGORNE IRD
Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère et Océanographie –
Université de Dakar, Sénégal
Guy will be very much missed here in Wisconsin. At the Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) and its Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Guy is widely recognized as a friend, as a highly respected leader in our field, and as one who has fought tirelessly to protect microwave frequency bands for remote sensing, He will surely be remembered with fondness and with very high regard. This is truly sad news.
Sympathys,
Hank Revercomb, SSEC Director
PS Please pass this message on to your colleagues and give our sympathys to Guy’s family..
I have been very grieved over the sudden and untimely passing of my best friend Guy. It’s too tough for me to accept this reality. He always supports, inspires and encourages me. I have so many fond memories of him. We discussed radiative transfer modeling and ICI retrieval package in Lannion during my stay at CMS in the spring of 1999. He corrected the mistakes in my paper. We were fishing on his boat, walking along the street in his hometown of Treguier, climbing up the Great Wall, watching Peking opera and the acrobat performance, enjoying the dinners with or without Beijing Roasted Duck, tasting Tsingtao beer, exchanging CDs and books.
My life won’t be the same without Guy’s nice calls and long emails from Brittany. Guy, my best friend, may you rest in peace. Your passion, kindness, warm heart and everything will always be with me. I will miss you forever.
My sincerest condolences go to Anne-Marie and his children on their loss.
Xuebao WU
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Space Science & Engineering Center
On behalf of the Indian community I express my deepest condolence to the family of Guy’s. I never met him but he had called me few times and wanted to push Indian scientists to participate in ITWG activities.
Ramesh Singh
Indian Institute of Technology
Kanpur, India
My interaction with Guy took place during the ITSC-XII in Lorne Australia. I found him a very positive and encouraging person. Over the past five years, Guy has been to me a friend and colleague. He has been important person to us on personal level also. My deepest condolences to the Family and Colleagues of Guy.
Devendra Singh
IMD, India
It is a great shock to learn that Guy passed away. I met him several times at meetings on the protection of radio frequencies. We also had discussion on the subject by phone and e-mail. Guy’s dedication was impressive, and he contributed substantially to frequency protection. I also remember him as a very kind man. We will miss him.
Please convey my sincere condolences to his family on their loss.
Wim Monna
KNMI
De Bilt, The Netherlands
Dr. Guy Rochard was always full of enthusiasm, collaborating with Brazilian efforts in satellite atmospheric retrieval, fighting in defense of 50Ghz band clean availability, participating in meetings, calling by phone, or even simply roaming and discussing along a Brazilian beach by night or a Bretagne street by day.
The Environmental Satellites Division at CPTEC/INPE loses not only an excellent scientific partner but also a beloved friend of many of us.
Juan Carlos Ceballos and Sci Team of DSA/CPTEC/INPE
Brazil
It is a great shock to learn that Guy passed away. Guy visited our university many times, he gave us a lot of help . He is our good friends. I will miss him. I would like to express to his family my sincere condolences.
Zhu yuanjing
Peking University
Beijing CHINA
We have been shocked to learn on the passing of Guy. I knew Guy since the end of the eighties when we had in Europe discussions on future satellite systems which have become reality now (Meteosat Second Generation, METOP). Guy contributed at that time in relevant working groups with his deep knowledge on radiative transfer processes. I was always impressed by Guy’s powerful engagement, his enthusiasm and extreme motivations during his work. One of his most laudable merits are his activities to protect the microwave frequencies for meteorological purposes. He was so much engaged that he didn’t only convince other people, he was very much successful in carrying along colleagues and others in scientific (and political) issues. Europe has lost one of its remote sensing expert with greatest internationally reputation – we will be missing him.
We would like to express to his family our sincere condolences.
On behalf of all colleagues of DWD’s remote sensing experts,
Wolfgang Benesch
Deutscher Wetterdiesnt
Germany
On behalf of my NPOESS Integrated Program Office colleagues, we are deeply saddened by Guy’s sudden passing. Guy’s excitement about NPOESS and NPP always invigorated those of us that are space systems providers. It was not unusual for me to routinely receive telephone calls from Guy at 4 or 5 o’clock PM here in Washington DC (US Eastern time) to ask about the latest rumor on NPP or NPOESS, especially regarding real time data. I feel very fortunate to have know him the last seven years. I will miss his spirit and passion.
Please convey our sincerest condolences to his family on their loss.
Peter Wilczynski
NPOESS Integrated Program Office
I had the fortune to know Guy Rochard and to spend with him enough time to
appreciate his scientific and human qualities. I’m close, in this difficult
moment, to his family and to the colleagues of CMS in Lannion. They were like my family during my stage in Lannion.
Each of us (and not only as member of the TOVS community) missed a lot.
I miss his “joie de vivre” and the opportunity to share with him science
and cheerfulness.
It has been always difficult to me to remember Guy without smiling, thinking
to the pleasant time we spent together in Lannion and in Italy. Even in this sad day I want to take for me the memory of his smiling presence, perhaps around a table, telling stories, drinking some wine and laughing together often for nothing.
Thank you, dear Guy.
Valerio Tramutoli
Italy
This is very sad news. Lot of people might be not aware of Guy’s investment to make happen an effective involvement of Africans in ITWG activities. I remember him struggling for inviting one of my colleague and myself at the ITWG conference in Budapest. I remember how passionated he was with his nice ideas: enlarge this community and protect frequencies for research. So this is also a big loss for the African community.
Rest in peace Guy and be proud of your ACTION!
Amadou Th. Gaye
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
DAKAR SENEGAL
It was about two months before the 1st ITSC in 1983 that Guy visited the MSC (Meteorological Satellite Center) of Japan. The purpose is to exchange the information on the procedure to incorporate AVHRR data into TOVS data processing since, at that stage, CMS Lannion and MSC Japan are only the centers that have established the system for mixing AVHRR data with TOVS. The meeting started from the lesson of pronouncing “Rochard” since it was very hard for me to correctly mimic his voice. Finally, we decided to call him as Guy. The systems of both centers were greatly different. He brought up many photos and figures, and the discussion continued all day long from the morning to the evening, including many issues other than TOVS and AVHRR.
The AVHRR became one of big issues of 2nd ITSC in 1985. There, Guy brought up new data that he got out of manufacturers of HIRS and AVHRR in US. One of impressive pictures is the positioning of IFOVs of all HIRS channels, which scatters by one km in maximum. We worked with AVHRR for several years.
After this work, Guy moved to microwave far from thermal infrared. I came to Meteorological Research Institute and began the study of remote sensing of atmospheric constituents using near infrared and visible. Although I spent there almost 20 years until I retired two years ago, I occasionally visited ITSC just like the native land, where Guy is always keeping busy. One of my pleasures was to see him again.
Now, I really miss you, Guy.
Tadao Aoki
Center for Global Environmental Studies
National Institute of Environmental Studies
Japan
I knew Guy since my involvement into remote sensing started (about 20 years ago). He was always very helpful and supportive whenever I needed something. In particular when I was in charge to plan and coordinate the AAPP development, he was the one to push the project and to help promote it with the community and with management. One important thing I learnt from him in that times was to stand upright and follow of what one is convinced even if the “party line” is different. He lived that every day. Not to forget his tireless efforts to protect the microwave frequencies. We just some weeks ago spoke about the efforts to make on the coordination of global and local processing – his passion were the users and the use of the satellite data by everybody in a good and correct way.
I lost a friend and colleague whom I ‘ll never forget.
Dieter Klaes
EUMETSAT
Germany
I knew Guy Rochard in 1986 when he visited NSMC in Beijing. He is very enthusiastic and friendly. He visited China many times since then, actively promote the exchange of visiting scientists, especially young scientists to work and study in CMS and in other international cooperative research centers.He was a top gun to devote his life to satellite data sharing, microwave frequency protect, scientific and technical cooperation recent years. He has many friends in China and he knew Beijing very well. With his proposal and encouragement, we decided to host the 14th ATOVS meeting in Beijing. He gave many good advice to us as the host. He showed great concern about the FY-3 program, actually he called me the day before he passed away. We discussed FY-3. It is unbelievable when I heard of his death. We’ll miss him as a friend and advisor. His death is a great lost for the international meteorological satellite community. I express the deepest condolence to his family and colleagues.
Dong Chaohua
NSMC of CMA
Beijing, China
C’est avec grande tristesse et stupéfaction que j’ai appris le décès de mon ancien collègue français Guy Rochard. J’ai rencontré Guy à mes premières participations aux conférences ITSC/TOVS à la fin des années 80 et j’ai tout de suite reconnu en Guy un chercheur inlassable dévoué à la communauté scientifique. Son dévouement et son enthousiasme sur le problème de recouvrement de données satellitaires resteront à toujours dignes de reconnaissance internationale. Sa rigueur scientifique, qu’il démontrait si bien à travers ses interventions dans divers forums scientifiques, était remarquable. Plus récemment, son travail acharné pour la protection des fréquences dans le micro-ondes restera exemplaire.
Sur le plan personnel, Guy était très aimable. Son sourire, sa joie de vivre, et ses connaissances sur une multitude de sujets scientifiques ou autres, faisaient de lui un atout dans toutes rencontres. À toute sa famille et ses proches, mes plus sincères condoléances.
Cher cousin, pour reprendre une de tes expressions, tu peux te reposer en Paix.
Clément Chouinard
Chercheur à la retraite
Division de l’assimilation des données météorologiques
SEA/Canada
Like many others I have known Guy all my working life and know what a wonderful and generous person Guy was. Like many others I have benefited in my career from Guy’s support and encouragement which I found particularly important when I was doing my PhD. During that time Guy visited John Eyre several times but unlike some visitors he took the time to get to know and take an interest in the work of young inexperienced scientists like myself. I will miss him.
Steve English
UK Met Office
I was deeply saddened to hear of Guy’s sudden passing. He had many friends at NASA who will dearly miss him.
I would like to share two memories I have of Guy, one professional and one personal. The former was at the first ITSC I attended at Igls, Austria (ITSC-9) in 1997. He gave an absolutely rousing speech on frequency protection. He ended it with something like “If we fight, we can win!” upon which he received a standing ovation. I have never heard, before or since, such an enthusiastic talk nor seen such a response from a normally reserved group of scientists. At the end of the meeting, he was elected co-chair of the ITWG.
My second memory was at the ITSC-12 in Lorne, Australia in 2002. He was co-chair of the ITWG at the time and madly running around the conference taking care of the many details required to make it a great meeting. Somehow, in addition to all his duties, he found the time to take pictures of people, have them developed, and hand them out at the conference. (And they were very nice pictures, too!)
Thank you Guy for all your hard work that benefitted the remote sensing community and the personal and professional touches you added that made the ITSC meetings truly memorable.
Joanna Joiner
NASA Goddard
J’ai connu Guy en 1982 alors que je visitais le centre de Lannion. Je me souviens encore de son accueil chaleureux. A cette époque, je me préparais à faire des études doctorales et j’étais très impressionné par la beauté des images satellitaires. Guy m’en a mis plein la vue. Il a porté à mon attention sa publication de 1978 sur des mesures de texture pour la classification des nuages. Quelques années plus tard, ma thèse porta sur ce même sujet, reprenant plusieurs de ses idées. Voilà un autre domaine dans lequel Guy fut un précurseur. Plus tard, J’ai toujours pris plaisir à le rencontrer dans les réunions ITSC.
Mes plus sincères condoléances à sa famille.
Louis Garand
Environment Canada
Nous sommes extremement tristes a cette nouvelle. Nous avons connu Guy des le temps de notre jeunesse et notre parcours pour cette science satellitaire a ete marque par des cooperations plus que fructueuses et dans tous les cas reposant sur une estime et un respect profonds.
Les visites a Lannion, au plus lointain de nos souvenirs, etaient des echanges precieux de travail mais aussi, tout aussi precieux, des instants joyeux, ceci grace a la chaleureuse amitie de Guy.
Avec toi et avec vous tous, collaborateurs de Guy de si longue date, nous partageons toute votre tristesse.
Si tu le veux bien, fais toi l’interprete de notre sympathie et de notre estime au pres de sa famille et de tous ses collegues du CMS.
De tout coeur avec vous,
Alain Chedin, Noelle Scott
ARA/LMD/IPSL
Ecole Polytechnique
J’ai appris le décès brutal de Guy par la lettre de Gérard de Moor envoyée aux Ingénieurs des Ponts et Chaussées en poste à Météo-France!
C’est vraiment très triste et je voudrais adresser quelques mots de sympathie à l’équipe du CMS-R&D et à sa famille.
Je n’étais pas un collègue très proche de Guy, mais je conserve de très bons souvenirs de lui, même s’il sont un peu anciens, lors de réunions, missions ou contacts épisodiques, où il se caractérisait par sa jovialité, son accueil chaleureux lorsque nous venions vous voir au Centre de Météorologie Spatiale, sa disponibilité lorsque nous faisions appel à lui pour de la formation et sa motivation de pionnier infatiguable de la météo spatiale, toujours renouvelée au contact des cercles internationaux.
Toutes mes chaleureuses condoléances à sa famille et à vous, ses collègues de Lannion.
Vincent Pircher
Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
On behalf of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, I want to express my deepest sadness upon hearing of Guy’s passing. Guy was an ardent devotee of Earth observation, a tireless defender of the use of spectrum for the passive microwave community, and a personal friend – both to me and to many of my GRSS colleagues. My sincere condolences go out to his family.
Al Gasiewski
NOAA