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HARM BLIJ Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for HARM BLIJ
Maolin Tang, Nanjing Normal University, P. R. China
October 10, 2024
I have finished a paper on the contribution of Harm J. de Blij to geography and geographic science communication, and submited it to a Chinese geographical journal Troplical Geography (https://www.rddl.com.cn/EN/1001-5221/current.shtml).
Maolin Tang from NNU, China, Oct 10, 2024
Peter Muller
March 24, 2024
This is to mark the tenth anniversary of the passing of one my dearest friends. Harm will never be forgotten by those who knew him best, and is firmly enshrined in the pantheon of academic geography for his outstanding contributions to the discipline.
P.O. Muller
March 24, 2019
Harm has taken his place in the pantheon of American geographers. Five years on, his books are still read by tens of thousands of college students annually. His contributions to the discipline are memorialized in geography's flagship academic journal at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00045608.2015.1079989?src=recsys&journalCode=raag20 He remains an inspiration to all of us who had the good fortune to cross paths with him. Personally, he was one of my dearest friends and professional colleagues, and I miss him greatly.
Tony Guthrie
April 3, 2014
Over the past 20 years Harm became one of my closest and dearest friends and confidants. I feel so fortunate to have known such a remarkably brilliant, charming and kind man. The geographic world and our country have suffered a tremendous loss. His ability to teach and mentor absolutely everyone that came in contact with him was enormous. I will forever remember the many great times and all he so generously taught me over the years along with the many, many laughs we had a long the way! My he rest in peace
Hollis de Paula
April 2, 2014
I miss seeing my friend on his bike. Also coming into my Bookstore. Chin up Bonnie. Miss you too.
Alan Best
April 1, 2014
Harm was my mentor, colleague and friend for more than fifty years, a constant source of information and inspiration, and one of Geography's giants. Indeed, he was the Carl Sagan of Geography. It was an honor to know him.
My thoughts go out to Bonnie and his son James.
Alan Best
Chris Rogers
April 1, 2014
Harm was one of the greats in geography and the book publishing world, with many long-lasting best-selling books to his credit--books that defined a field, like regional geography, forever. His energy , wit, and intelligence, and his vision and sponsorship of geography as a must-have discipline in the academy did more for the field than any one person could imagine. But more than all of these great contributions, Harm de Blij was a good person who rescued animals even at great risk to himself, and he was class act, a real gentleman, and a lot of fun. I was proud to be his friend and editor.
The world is a smaller place without him. My deepest sympathy to Bonnie and his family.
Diane Brewer
April 1, 2014
Sending my thoughts and prayers to Bonnie. I feel so grateful that I was privileged to know Harm & to experience his genius at Sea. Diane Brewer, RV Sun Gift Shop 1991-1994
Ola S Harsheim
April 1, 2014
Smooth sailing to you Harm from a friend and an admirer.
Captain Harsheim, Royal Viking Line
David Knight
April 1, 2014
Harm was a scholarly giant: his impact on the thinking of countless thousands around the globe is remarkable and will be long-lasting. I am grateful I knew him.
March 31, 2014
My sincere condolences to the family. May the "God of all comfort" bring you much needed peace during this difficult time. 2 Cor 3:1; JF
mariani vermeend
March 31, 2014
Wishing Harm's family strength with seeing Harm's passing. Rest in Peace
Danijel Oresic
March 31, 2014
On the behalf of Croatian Geographic Society I'd like to express our deepest respect to professor Harms J. de Blij and offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends. So many of us geographers here and around the world grew trough his work and enjoyed his words.
President of the Croatian Geographic Society
March 31, 2014
My sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2. Again my deepest sympathy.
Sarah G.
March 30, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Gerry McDowell
March 30, 2014
Many of us in Chatham on Cape Cod were charmed and enlightened by the presence of Harm de Blij in our midst. Whether lecturing at the Eldredge Library or generously giving his time year after year to organizations like the Chatham Retired Men's Association, Harm shared his expertise and enthusiasm. I can remember him standing there so excited by his subject that the words came tumbling out and I could feel the excitement build in the audience. I hope he realized how appreciative we all were to have him with us.
Gerry McDowell, Moderator
Chatham Retired Men's Association
Peter Muller
March 30, 2014
Our friendship and collaborations were the greatest thing that ever happened in my career. Your stature in the history of American geography will only grow as the decades and centuries unfold. As long as I and your closest colleagues draw breath, we will zealously guard the flame. As this formal obituary notice points out, your impact on our profession was unprecedented. Those of us who knew you, and we number in the thousands, can summarize it in a single word: genius. And what a life you lived, and what fun it was. The bottom line here: Well Done!
Joseph and Gillian Stoltman
March 30, 2014
Dear Family Members,
We extend our sincerest condolences. Harm was an exceptional colleague, fellow traveler, and most enjoyable individual. He made an indelible positive mark on geography globally, but especially in the United States through his writing, commentaries, teaching, and conference presentations. We will miss his spontaneous critical analysis of global events through the lens of the geographer. Gifted with the ability to communicate, he developed in all he encountered the realization that geography matters.
Joseph and Gillian Stoltman
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