Passing of a Good Man!

The late Beat Schürch was born in Thun, Switzerland on 24 September 1940. In 1961 he graduated with a B.Sc. degree from the University of Geneva. He followed this up with an M.Sc. and an M.D. from the University of Bern in 1963 and 1967 respectively. He capped his academic excellence with a Ph.D in Instructional Technology & Educational Psychology from the Syracuse University, USA in 1975.

Dr. Schürch has been the Director of the Nestlé Foundation for a period of 23 years during which time he markedly contributed to its international renown in the field of human nutrition. He has been particularly dedicated to help scientists of low-income countries in all phases of their research projects from the design of the study to the publication of the results in international journals.

The African Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences (AJFNS), now African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND) received financial support from the Nestlé Foundation for its inaugural issue. Dr. Schürch was among the first people to believe in this dream and played a mid-wifery role in making this now bouncing toddler a reality.

As the Director of the Nestlé Foundation and the Executive Secretary of IDECG (International Dietary Energy Consultative Group), Dr. Schürch organized numerous workshops in human nutrition and edited many supplements to scientific journals such as "Causes and mechanisms of linear growth retardation", "Energy and protein requirements", "Causes and consequences of intrauterine growth retardation", "Developmental pathways of the malnourished child".

Dr. Beat Schürch passed away on September 6, 2002 after a long-lasting disease. He is survived by his wife, Vinita Kapila Schürch, and a son, Alex. His many colleagues and friends will keep the memory of a scientist of great integrity who has contributed to initiate and support research in human nutrition with public health relevance in underprivileged countries. He was also very knowledgeable in modern art and he knew many renowned artists personally.

Council members and experts of the Nestlé Foundation have lost not only a dedicated scientist but also a friend.

We wish to credit Prof. Eric Jéquier, President - Nestlé Foundation, who brought to our attention the death of Dr. Beat Schürch. Email: nestle.foundation@vtxnet.ch

Feu Beat Schürch

Beat Schürch est né à Thoune (Suisse) le 24 septembre 1940. Il obtient un B.Sc. à l'Université de Genève en 1961 puis un M.Sc. et un doctorat en médecine à l'Université de Berne en 1963 et 1967. Il achève sa formation scientifique en 1975 à l'Université de Syracuse aux Etats-Unis par un doctorat en sciences de l'éducation.

Le Dr Schürch a dirigé la Fondation Nestlé pendant 23 ans et, ce faisant, a contribué d'une manière décisive à la renommée internationale de cette organisation dans le domaine de la nutrition humaine. Il accordait une grande importance à aider les scientifiques des pays financièrement défavorisés dans leurs projets de recherche, les conseillant de la conception du projet jusqu'à la publication des résultats dans des journaux internationaux.

Le Journal Africain pour les Sciences Alimentaires et Nutritionnelles, maintenant Journal Africain pour l'Alimentation, l'Agriculture, la Nutrition et le Développement a reçu une aide financière de la Fondation Nestlé à l'occasion de son lancement. Le Dr Schürch a été parmi les premiers à croire à ce rêve et c'est aussi grâce à lui que le turbulent enfant que nous connaissons actuellement est devenu une réalité.

En tant que Directeur de la Fondation Nestlé et Secrétaire Exécutif d'IDECG (International Dietary Energy Consultative Group), le Dr Schürch a organisé de nombreux ateliers sur des questions de nutrition humaine et a édité maints suppléments de journaux scientifiques. Par exemple, "Causes and mechanisms of linear growth retardation", "Energy and protein requirements", "Causes and consequences of intrauterine growth retardation", "Developmental pathways of the malnourished child".

Le Dr Schürch nous a quitté le 6 Septembre 2002 après une longue maladie. Il laisse son épouse, Vinita, et un fils, Alex. Ses nombreux collègues et amis garderont de lui le souvenir d'un scientifique d'une grand intégrité qui a contribué à initier et soutenir la recherche en nutrition humaine dans les pays défavorisés. Il était un expert en art moderne et contemporain et connaissait personnellement de nombreux artistes célèbres.
Les membres du Conseil et les experts de la Fondation Nestlé ont perdu non seulement un scientifique distingué mais aussi un ami.

Condolences following the death of Dr. Beat Schürch
[Letter sent - on behalf of the Nutrition Fraternity in Africa]

It is with profound shock and sorrow that I have learnt of the passing away of Dr. Beat Schürch. I knew Beat personally as a warm person who truly cared for the welfare and development of the poor people of the developing world. He expressed his concern by, among other things, supporting any research initiatives of scientists from these regions who were committed to improving livelihoods.

As one such scientist, I benefited from his big heart through support for my journal, African Journal of food and Nutritional Sciences (AJFNS), now African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND). We received financial support from Nestlé Foundation for our inaugural issue and were destined to continue receiving this support were it not for his ill health.

Dr. Schürch was among the first people to believe in this dream and played a mid-wifery role in making this now bouncing toddler a reality. We at AJFAND have lost not just a sponsor but a true and reliable friend.

We join you at this time of mourning of a great son of this planet, a missionary who set out to make this world a better home for the disadvantaged. The development world has lost a great warrior. The only tribute we can pay Dr. Schürch is to continue the good fight he fought so hard until his untimely demise. I am sure that Beat would be happier in the next world if he knew the fight was still being fought and, most importantly, being won.

Please accept our condolences.

May the Almighty God rest Beat's soul in eternal peace.

Editor-in-Chief