Kohler, Prof. Dr. Heinz Charles

Prof. Dr. Heinz Charles Kohler (1945-2010) On April 24, 2010 in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) Prof. Dr. Heinz Charles Kohler, our good friend for many years and dedicated advisor died of heart stroke. As a prestigious geomorphologist and karstologist, he was responsible to consolidate modern karstology in Brazil, By his adherents and co-workers, he helped to establish this science internationally. From 1975 to 1996 he was a researcher and professor at UFMG, a Federal University in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais). From 1996 to his last days, he was responsible for the Environmental Studies Laboratory at the Pontiphical Catholic University (PUC Minas) also in Belo Horizonte. In both Universities he was engaged to help many young researchers to get their graduate degrees, especially in Environmental Sciences. In 1989 he studied one of the best examples of Brazilian Tropical Karst (The Karst of Lagoa Santa Region, MG) finishing the first doctoral dissertation regarding this field of science in Brazil. After this period, many students follow his path towards the consolidation of karstology and speleology in Brazil.

Prof. Kohler has long lasting and very good relations with French karstologists, Prof. J.Nicod emphasized. Thanks to him Prof. Kohler established his first contacts with Slovenian karstologists in the 80-ties of the last century. From that time on we exchanged literature and ideas, we met at different karstological meetings, he participated at the International Karstological School at Postojna, and he contributed the paper on Brazilian karst to the Acta Carsologica. He invited Slovene karstologists to visit Brazilian karst and upon his initiative the real co-operation between Slovene and Brazilian karst researches started. It includes the beginning of formal cooperation between the Pontiphical Catholic University (PUC Minas) and University of Nova Gorica (UNG). We are very glad to see that his efforts and labour are giving fruits but sorrowful that he cannot see and enjoy them.