Colleagues and Collaborators
I would like to write a few words and have a special thought for some of my
friends and colleagues who have had a major impact on my scientific life but who
are now no longer living.
Jean Francheteau was a marine geophysicist who worked with me at CNEXO
and IFREMER from when we both arrived in 1970–1982, and we continued our
scientific collaboration and friendship even when he went on to work for other
institutes in Paris, or at the University of Brest. He had a thick head of hair and a
drooping mustache, so he looked a bit like a Mexican freedom fighter, as well as a
French nobleman. Born in Pornichet, France, Jean obtained his PhD in oceanography in 1970 from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, in La Jolla, California. He was the author of more than 90 publications and his outstanding
contribution to Earth Sciences inspired many researchers in the field of marine
geology. However the most important aspect of his influence on me was due to his
qualities as a human being. He was enthusiastic, honest and a strong believer that
conducting good science should be done without any interference due to political
compromises or leadership. He believed that Earth study starts in the field with the
exploration of the sea floor. It was very enlightening for me to spend time at sea
with him. We shared more than 11 sea-going expeditions, and our families are best
of friends. I will always remember Jean as an explorer and adventurer, ready to
seek new horizons. Unfortunately he left us when he was still too young, at the age
of 67, in July 2010.
Guy Paquet was nicknamed ‘‘Nounours’’ (Teddy Bear) perhaps because he
could sometimes appear to be as fierce as a grizzly, but he was really as soft as a
child’s toy. He terminated his long career in the French merchant marine as captain
of the N.O. JEAN CHARCOT. On board he was sometimes moody, often pleasant
and at the same time harsh and opinionated. Nevertheless, he was truly kind and
very concerned about the fate of his fellow men. Built like a rock, with the neck of
a rugby player, he was born in Brive la Gaillarde, which is also a region famous for
its rugby team. Guy was very much appreciated by all his crew members, and I
will always remember his ability to navigate our oceanographic vessels under
extremely difficult conditions, including a hurricane which chased our ship across
the Atlantic during the September 1976 Post-Famous scientific cruise.
Daniel Bideau was my student and also a collaborator on many scientific
endeavors. He was a brilliant scientist who left us far too early when he was at the
peak of his career, at the age of 55. We used to share the same lab, our desks faced
each other in our shared office, and over the years we exchanged many thoughts
and ideas about our Earth and our lives.
My work has brought me into contact with several other colleagues and friends
to whom I am very appreciative for their support and unconditional friendship
during my scientific career.
David Needham is a marine geologist who graduated from Columbia University and whom I met while I was at Lamont-Geological observatory in 1964.
6
1 An Overview of Oceanographic Exploration
I would like to write a few words and have a special thought for some of my
friends and colleagues who have had a major impact on my scientific life but who
are now no longer living.
Jean Francheteau was a marine geophysicist who worked with me at CNEXO
and IFREMER from when we both arrived in 1970–1982, and we continued our
scientific collaboration and friendship even when he went on to work for other
institutes in Paris, or at the University of Brest. He had a thick head of hair and a
drooping mustache, so he looked a bit like a Mexican freedom fighter, as well as a
French nobleman. Born in Pornichet, France, Jean obtained his PhD in oceanography in 1970 from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, in La Jolla, California. He was the author of more than 90 publications and his outstanding
contribution to Earth Sciences inspired many researchers in the field of marine
geology. However the most important aspect of his influence on me was due to his
qualities as a human being. He was enthusiastic, honest and a strong believer that
conducting good science should be done without any interference due to political
compromises or leadership. He believed that Earth study starts in the field with the
exploration of the sea floor. It was very enlightening for me to spend time at sea
with him. We shared more than 11 sea-going expeditions, and our families are best
of friends. I will always remember Jean as an explorer and adventurer, ready to
seek new horizons. Unfortunately he left us when he was still too young, at the age
of 67, in July 2010.
Guy Paquet was nicknamed ‘‘Nounours’’ (Teddy Bear) perhaps because he
could sometimes appear to be as fierce as a grizzly, but he was really as soft as a
child’s toy. He terminated his long career in the French merchant marine as captain
of the N.O. JEAN CHARCOT. On board he was sometimes moody, often pleasant
and at the same time harsh and opinionated. Nevertheless, he was truly kind and
very concerned about the fate of his fellow men. Built like a rock, with the neck of
a rugby player, he was born in Brive la Gaillarde, which is also a region famous for
its rugby team. Guy was very much appreciated by all his crew members, and I
will always remember his ability to navigate our oceanographic vessels under
extremely difficult conditions, including a hurricane which chased our ship across
the Atlantic during the September 1976 Post-Famous scientific cruise.
Daniel Bideau was my student and also a collaborator on many scientific
endeavors. He was a brilliant scientist who left us far too early when he was at the
peak of his career, at the age of 55. We used to share the same lab, our desks faced
each other in our shared office, and over the years we exchanged many thoughts
and ideas about our Earth and our lives.
My work has brought me into contact with several other colleagues and friends
to whom I am very appreciative for their support and unconditional friendship
during my scientific career.
David Needham is a marine geologist who graduated from Columbia University and whom I met while I was at Lamont-Geological observatory in 1964.
6
1 An Overview of Oceanographic Exploration