from ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 3, Issue 1 (p.5)
IN MEMORIAM
The Past President – Prof. Victor F.B. de Mello
Victor’s photo taken in 1977 for the Rankine Lecture
The geotechnical community received with great sadness the notice that Prof. Victor de Mello has passed away.
In this moment I convey my condolences and deep sympathy in my personal name and on behalf of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering to Maria and Family.
Prof. Victor de Mello acted as President of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundations Engineering during the tenure 1981-1985 and will be remembered for his actions and passion to implement geotechnical activities worldwide.
Professor Victor de Mello was a man of prodigious energy and fine intellect. We are indebted for his outstanding contribution for the advancement of knowledge in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.
I had the opportunity to meet Prof. Victor de Mello in Mozambique in 1972, when he was acting as Consulting Expert for Massingir dam and I was initiating my first steps in geotechnical engineering. My debt of gratitude for him is so huge and I should like to recall this Master who teach me to think, to investigate, to be in Geotechnique and which friendship is for me a great lesson.
Professor Victor de Mello is often invited to be Keynote Speaker at international conferences of geotechnical engineering and other events and we always listen to his lectures with great interest and pleasure, as they are challenge and open new avenues of research.
I would like to highlight from Prof. Victor de Mello outstanding curriculum: i) his solid scientific background and research contributions for the advancement of knowledge of embankment dams and special foundations; ii) his significant contribution as author/co-author of papers for Journals, widely accepted throughout the world; (iii) his excellent lecturing and teaching ability to communicate, to support and to encourage students; (iv) his skill to establish synergies with Industry. I believe that everybody fully agree with me in classifying his activity with Five Es – Exciting, Elegant, Efficient, Excellent and Extraordinary.
But it is not sufficient to remember the Master, it is important to follow his example, to give continuity with energy and perseverance to his heritage and to spread his message that:
“The important thing in science is not
so much to obtain new facts, as to discover
new ways of thinking about them”.
This will be the simple contribution of the current and next generations to honor Victor de Mello memory.
ISSMGE presents to Victor de Mello family our deep sympathy.
With best regards
Pedro Sêco e Pinto
President
From ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 5
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