Fred Ruhe
Well-known member
I just received the following message from Antoine Liuchart.
Dear Colleagues,
It is with sadness that I announce you the death of Jean-Christophe Balouet, earlier this week, of a stroke.
Jean-Christophe was well-known in the world of paleontology, especially -but not only- bird paleontology. Among his more prominent contributions to the field, was his numerous and long sessions of extremely productive fieldwork on New-Caledonia, from the end of the 1970s as he was a student, to the beginning of the 1990s. He discovered new sites, excavated them along with known sites, sometimes at his own risk as he almost died from Histoplasma capsulatum infection transmitted by bat guano. The great collection of bird subfossils comprised numerous new, extinct taxa, that he could describe in part, with the collaboration of the late Storrs L. Olson in 1989. And above all, the iconic Sylviornis neocaledoniae, described earlier, benefited from all the information contained in the abundant fossils from Pindai, Gilles, Kanumera and other sites he excavated. Jean-Christophe was passionate, he was a whole person, with a dedication to this passion of bird fossils that is rarely encountered. Despite all this, he unfortunately didn't access a position as a paleontologist, although he would have deserved it more than anyone. This was a deep regret for him, and a shame for the community and the discipline. Nevertheless, he was still enthusiastic like a child, as we planned a field mission to New Caledonia almost two years ago, supposed to take place last year, delayed due to covid, the perspective to see again the field after 30 years or so, all the people he knew there, the local people whom he deeply respected as well as their customs. Unfortunately, he did not have the opportunity to see all this again before leaving us. Something will be transmitted, however, to Ségolène Riamon who is doing her thesis on Sylviornis, and Jean-Christophe was keen on transmitting his knowledge, even outside an academic situation. He also had a rich career outside paleontology, in fields to which he was similarly dedicated. For my interest in Sylviornis, I had tried years ago to recontact him, and finally succeded three years ago. I am grateful I could meet Jean-Christophe, even if it was too short.
We owe him a lot, especially those of us interested in island birds. I also would like to propose an obituary in a journal of paleontology or ornithology (to be decided), with the help of those of you who knew him or had field experience with him etc., and with the help of his family, to whom we send our condolences.
Please send me elements of contributions if you wish.
Best regards,
Antoine
Fred Ruhe
Dear Colleagues,
It is with sadness that I announce you the death of Jean-Christophe Balouet, earlier this week, of a stroke.
Jean-Christophe was well-known in the world of paleontology, especially -but not only- bird paleontology. Among his more prominent contributions to the field, was his numerous and long sessions of extremely productive fieldwork on New-Caledonia, from the end of the 1970s as he was a student, to the beginning of the 1990s. He discovered new sites, excavated them along with known sites, sometimes at his own risk as he almost died from Histoplasma capsulatum infection transmitted by bat guano. The great collection of bird subfossils comprised numerous new, extinct taxa, that he could describe in part, with the collaboration of the late Storrs L. Olson in 1989. And above all, the iconic Sylviornis neocaledoniae, described earlier, benefited from all the information contained in the abundant fossils from Pindai, Gilles, Kanumera and other sites he excavated. Jean-Christophe was passionate, he was a whole person, with a dedication to this passion of bird fossils that is rarely encountered. Despite all this, he unfortunately didn't access a position as a paleontologist, although he would have deserved it more than anyone. This was a deep regret for him, and a shame for the community and the discipline. Nevertheless, he was still enthusiastic like a child, as we planned a field mission to New Caledonia almost two years ago, supposed to take place last year, delayed due to covid, the perspective to see again the field after 30 years or so, all the people he knew there, the local people whom he deeply respected as well as their customs. Unfortunately, he did not have the opportunity to see all this again before leaving us. Something will be transmitted, however, to Ségolène Riamon who is doing her thesis on Sylviornis, and Jean-Christophe was keen on transmitting his knowledge, even outside an academic situation. He also had a rich career outside paleontology, in fields to which he was similarly dedicated. For my interest in Sylviornis, I had tried years ago to recontact him, and finally succeded three years ago. I am grateful I could meet Jean-Christophe, even if it was too short.
We owe him a lot, especially those of us interested in island birds. I also would like to propose an obituary in a journal of paleontology or ornithology (to be decided), with the help of those of you who knew him or had field experience with him etc., and with the help of his family, to whom we send our condolences.
Please send me elements of contributions if you wish.
Best regards,
Antoine
Fred Ruhe
