Academic remembered for ‘selfless’ personality

The late Professor William Aalbersberg with colleagues and friends. Picture: SUPPLIED

The late Professor William Aalbersberg will always be remembered as someone who walked the talk; a man committed in both words and action.

And while his death may come as a shock to his former colleagues, students and friends at The University of the South Pacific, his selfless and generous personality will never be forgotten.

Prof Bill, as he is fondly known, died peacefully in his sleep in February this year, surrounded by family and friends.

The late Professor William Aalbersberg. Picture: SUPPLIED

The former professor of organic chemistry at USP also served as the long-term director of the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS).

USP Staff Club president Viliamu Iese, in an email, expressed the condolences from club members upon hearing the news of Prof Aalbersberg’s untimely death.

Prof Aalbersberg was a former member of the USP Staff Club and held the club presidency in 1986.

“While his academic life and achievements are well established and will forever be remembered, Bill’s social life and humbleness could not go without mention and his affiliation with the Club back in the days are now memories which we will continue to share and cherish,” Mr Iese said on behalf of the Club’s executive committee.

“He was a man of many talents particularly his unique sense of humour and understanding of Pacific Islanders. He read people well and had the ability to blend in without any problem.

“Tell him where you had come from and you’d be surprised that Bill would say something in your mother tongue or even crack a joke or two about your place of origin.

“He was not only a pleasure to be with but a joy to have around, be it academic or social. With those few words, we can only pray for Bill to rest easy in His eternal love and peace.”

Prof Aalbersberg had been with USP for more than 27 years. He served as a lecturer, senior lecturer, reader in chemistry and professor of natural products chemistry before becoming director of IAS from 1999-2014.

“Prof Bill was known for his determination to develop capacity in the areas of applied sciences, with many of his students and mentees benefitting from his wealth of knowledge to become leaders in their own areas of work,” according to a statement from colleagues.

“Prof Bill has over 230 publications in key scientific research areas and has mentored and supervised various Masters and PhD students. He was also on the editorial board of numerous publications journals and head of numerous government committees on biodiversity, trade and standards and food and nutrition.

“One of his defining characteristics was his ability to always view things from the institutional perspective—he was a strong institutional person, always willing to go the extra mile. Bill also combined his strengths as an academic with his strong management and engagement from which USP benefited enormously.”

According to colleagues, one of the radical contributions he made in the discourse of resource management in Fiji and the Pacific was the emphasis on gender, specifically the involvement of women and their capacity enhancement in leadership and management in the traditional customary structure.

“One of his many gifts was his ability to converse in a number of languages and local dialects. He showed concern for the environment and especially the people, and is known for sharing ‘kava’ with local community members, staff and family members and academics,” the touching tribute read.

“Professor Bill has left behind an outstanding legacy that we can further build on and he will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace.”

Report by WANSOLWARA STAFF