Obituary: Haribhau S. Kale (1966-2022)
Authors:   Post Graduate Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, Humane Samaya S. 
Published: June 2022

On 14th April 2022 we lost a great teacher, a benevolent person and a helpful heart, Dr. Haribhau S. Kale, Associate Professor, Post Graduate Department of Geology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Nagpur and Former Treasurer and Secretary of Gondwana Geological Society (GGS), Nagpur at a young age of 56 years due to massive cardiac arrest on duty. Dr. Haribhau S. Kale was born on 28th August 1966, at Janori Village, Balapur Taluka, District Akola, Maharashtra. He completed his Bachelor of Science with Geology as one subject, from Amravati University in the year 1989. Later on, he completed M. Sc. Geology in 1991 and M. Sc. Tech Applied Geology in 1992 with Mineral Exploration as a specialization from Vikram University, Ujjain. He then pursued his passion for research by enrolling for doctoral work on Ore Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Genesis of a part of Dalli- Rajhara Iron Ore Belt, Durg district, M.P. and was awarded with the doctoral degree in the year 1998 from Vikram University, Ujjain. He worked as NET-JRF during 1993 to 1995 and NET- SRF during 1995-1996. His life was never easy and full of hurdles. In spite of being NET qualified in 1992 and doctorate in the year 1998, he struggled a lot in getting a permanent job in the teaching field. He joined as a lecturer on contractual basis at KESNNP, Engineering College Pen, District Raigarh, Maharashtra in the year 1996 and worked there till 1999. Later on, he worked as a lecturer on Clock Hour Basis (CHB) at Arts, Science and Commerce College, Chikhaldara, Amravati District from 1999 till 2002. After struggling for almost 11 years, he finally succeeded in getting selected as a lecturer in the Post Graduate Department of Geology, RTMNU, Nagpur in the year 2003. In spite of going through ups and downs in professional life he decided to have a stable life on the personal front and married his better half Ms. Vandana in the year 1993. From 2003 onwards he devoted himself to teaching, research and also to the service of mankind. In 2006, he edited one book entitled “Modelling of Indian Mineral Deposits (Part I), Vol. 3 (1-2)” along with K.L. Rai and R.M. Umathay, published by South Asian Association of Economic Geologists, (Received: 24 May 2022; Accepted: 30 May 2022) Hindustan Publishers, New Delhi. In 2007, his second book as an Editor is published on, “Modelling of Indian Mineral Deposits (Part II) covering Central Indian Deposits, along with K.L. Rai and R.M. Umathay, published by South Asian Association of Economic Geologists, Hindustan Publishers, New Delhi. He had 20 research papers published in various National and International Journals of good repute. He was life member of SAAEG, Raipur; Gondwana Geological Society, Nagpur; Geological Society of India, Bangalore and Indian Geological Congress, Roorkee. In addition to the life member of the GGS, he had also worked as its Treasurer and Secretary during 2015-2017 and 2018-2020, respectively. Along with academics, he excelled in work related to examinations. He has successfully handled the additional duties such as the Deputy Chief and later the Chief of the Spot Valuation Centre, RTMNU, Nagpur in 2004 and during 2006-2010, respectively. Dr. H.S. Kale was not only a good academician and researcher but also a human being with golden heart. For him, service to mankind was his top priority. He used to worship the place where he served. He had always extended his helping hand to the needy students by paying their fees for the geological excursions and donating laptops to economically poor students to minimize their hardships. Dr. H.S. Kale lived a simple but magnificent life in his own way making his place in heart of many students and teaching fraternity. Dr. Haibhau Kale was indeed a great inspiration for many of us and students who believed in humanity. His dedication and devotion to his service is unparalleled. On behalf of the Post Graduate Department of Geology, RTMNU, Nagpur and the GGS, I deeply acknowledge the immense loss to the geosciences community and pray that peace prevails upon him. Dr. Haribhau Kale is survived by his wife Mrs. Vandana and his three daughters Pranita, Komal and Renuka.