Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 15:05:45 -0600
From: Joann C Joselyn 

The IUGG Electronic Journal
Special Issue
Volume 4 No. 9b  (September 28, 2004)

Obituary
Baron  Paul Melchior

On the 15th of September 2004, Baron Paul Melchior passed away. He was 78 
years old. Recently, he had hip replacement surgery and died painfully 
from complications.

Paul Melchior was an exceptional person. He contributed immensely to the 
development of geophysics not only as an outstanding scientist but also 
as a great leader. From 1973 to 1991, he served as Secretary General of 
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), and was the 
Honorary Secretary General of IUGG until his death. His tenure lasted so 
long because he had an extraordinary ability to meet the expectations of 
his colleagues, and it was difficult to find someone who was willing to 
follow in his footsteps to manage such a demanding position.  One of his 
successes as Secretary General was the adhesion of China as member of 
IUGG, for which he showed all his skill in diplomatic matters.

During his long and fruitful scientific career, Paul Melchior had been 
Director of the International Center for Earth Tides (1958-1995), 
President of the Commission of Earth Rotation of the International 
Astronomical Union (1967-1970), and President of CODATA (1974-1978).

Paul Melchior studied mathematics at the Free University of Brussels. 
His Doctorate in Mathematical Sciences was earned at the same University 
in 1951. His professional career started as assistant at the Royal 
Observatory of Belgium in 1949. He became the Director in 1981 and 
served in that capacity until his retirement in 1990. Paul Melchior had 
a profound attachment to the Observatory. His contributions to the 
development of geophysics and geodesy at the Observatory are countless 
and brought great renown to his grateful Institute.  For his dedication 
for science and his international reputation, in 1993 King Baudouin 
bestowed upon him the title of Baron. Paul Melchior valued this mark of 
honour above all.  He was very attached to his country and its monarchy.

Paul Melchior began his career as an astronomer. Between 1950-1957, he 
spent long nights observing at the Askania Great Meridian Circle in 
Uccle. After compiling the data, he published the most precise star 
catalogue of that time. Soon, he was interested in the Earth's rotation. 
He then developed the complete theory of the motions of the Earth's 
rotational axis and its link to Earth's tides.  This became his main 
subject of research. He began measuring Earth tides in 1957 with the 
Verbaandert-Melchior quartz tiltmeters. In 1958, he was the first to 
analyze Earth tide observations using an electronic computer, the famous 
IBM 650. In 1968, Paul Melchior founded, with Johnny Flick, the 
Underground Laboratory of Walferdange in Luxembourg. In 1969, with Prof. 
Manfred Bonatz, they installed tiltmeters, gravimeters and a satellite 
camera in Spitzbergen (Norway). Thanks to his growing scientific 
reputation, the US Navy supported him to set up the first permanent 
Transit Satellite Doppler recording station in Europe, which operated 
until 1993. In 1973, his skillful and accurate interpretation of Earth 
tide gravity observations led the US Air Force to entrust his team to 
carry out Trans World Tidal Gravity Profiles. A total of 127 stations 
were observed worldwide for at least 6 months. This exceptional data set 
was used to assess the precision of the oceanic tidal models derived 
from Topex-Poseidon a few years ago. Always looking for more precise 
observations in gravimetry, Paul Melchior succeeded in raising funds to 
install the first superconducting gravimeter in Europe in Uccle.
		
Paul Melchior was also a Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain. 
His lectures were gripping due to his tremendous experience and 
expertise. He directed several Ph. D. students who considered themselves 
lucky to have him as an advisor. Being absorbed by his scientific and 
administrative life, he chose to trust his students instead of directing 
their theses on a daily basis. His door was open at any time to discuss 
science and he always gave advice without imposing direction. Paul 
Melchior succeeded in hiring some of his students at the Royal 
Observatory of Belgium, and helped and supported the others to get 
positions in academic institutes.  In his last years, he was deeply 
involved in the development of the European Center for Geodynamics and 
Seismology (ECGS) in Luxembourg. Paul Melchior, one of the founders of 
the ECGS, was the most active member of the scientific committee.

Although Paul Melchior was very busy, he found the time to write about 
300 scientific papers as well as two books published by Pergamon Press. 
The first one, published a few decades ago, was devoted to Earth Tides. 
  It is still the only one on the subject. He will be remembered as "the 
Father of Earth tides," and was bestowed during his lifetime with 
numerous international honours and distinctions. Notable among these (in 
addition to the title of Baron awarded by the King of Belgium) are his 
election to the title of "Fellow" of the American Geophysical Union in 
1978; his nomination as honorary Professor of the Institute of Geodesy 
and Geophysics of the Sinica Academy in China; and his nominations as 
foreign member to various scientific academies in Finland, the 
Netherlands, Spain, and Romania.

Paul Melchior had an extremely rich personality. In addition to his 
scientific career, he was a humanist passionate about history and 
literature. He also enjoyed national and international politics, which 
were favourite subjects of discussion. Anyone who had the chance to have 
dinner with Paul Melchior will never forget an enjoyable time listening 
to his incredible stories so well told. He is remembered for his taste 
for good foods, especially Italian cooking.

As a friend, Paul Melchior was trusting and loyal. He enjoyed writing to 
his friends and his correspondence could easily fill the entire library 
of the Royal Observatory. Being a stamp collector, one suspected that 
each time he sent a letter, he was anxious to get a nice stamp on the 
returning letter.

A man of his calibre could count on a wife of exception. Madame Melchior 
was literally at the service of the career of her husband. She prepared 
dinner for so many visiting scientists. She also learned Russian to 
translate the huge Russian bibliography on Earth Tides for her husband 
but also for all the readers of the Bulletin d'Informations des Marées 
Terrestres.

Paul Melchior will be missed not only by his family and friends, but also 
by his many colleagues, worldwide. His motto was: "In Omnibus Terris Amicus".

				Prepared by V. Dehant and O. Francis

This short, informal newsletter is intended to keep IUGG Member National 
Committees informed about the activities of the IUGG Associations, and 
actions of the IUGG Secretariat.  Past issues are posted on the IUGG Web 
site.  Please forward this message to those who will benefit from the 
information. Your comments are welcome.

End of IUGG Electronic Journal Volume 4 Number 9b (September 28, 2004)
J. A. Joselyn, Secretary General  [http://www.IUGG.org]
secretariat@iugg.org        fax:  1 303 497 3645