When I received the message from Frau Christian Plachta an associate  at the Institute   yesterday “Pflanzenernährung mitgeteilt, dass Herr Konrad Mengel am 12.07.2012 im Alter von 82 Jahren verstorben ist. Die Trauerfeierfindet am Donnerstag, den19.07.2012 um 14:30 Uhr in der Kirche in Pohlheim-Watzenborn statt” meaning that “ Institut of Plant Nutrition informs that Professor Dr Konrad Mengel has expired on 12.07. 2012 at the age of 82 years and the “Trauerfeier”   assembly will take place  on 19.07.2012 at 14.30 in Church from Pohlheim-Watzenborn.

Words cannot recall and record his works and contributions to science as he was a legendary figure with global recognitions who ignited all others to excel in their fields: the field of soil science and plant nutrition. During his career, Prof. Mengel served as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management,  at Justus von Liebig Universitat, Giessen, Germany and also served as Director of the Institute of Plant Nutrition for several terms, until his retirement.  His lifetime research yielded   numerous publications  and  text books. Prof Mengel  was truely an international scientist with a global vision. He cared  enough to  think  beyond national boundaries,and mentored many students, research associates,and fellows from all over the world who now occupy important positions around the globe and carry his torch forward. All those individuals who  have had the privilege and honor of working with him and learning from him will continue to remember him for his generous personality, scientific acumen, and lifetime achievements

Professor Mengel is recognized, respected, and has a legacy of his students  and colleagues who  have made their mark on International scene  as well. Professor Dr Sven Schubert present Director of the Institute is one such worthy example with International stature and global following. It  is the greatest tribute to a teacher if his students carry forward the torch he has lit in his lifetime. I join all others fellow workers from India and around the globe   to pay my rich tributes to the departed soul and pray for his heavenly abode.

What a strange coincidence  that I wrote a blog http://www.science20.com/humboldt_fellow_and_science/blog/soil_organic_farming_and_understanding_nutrient_cycle-91847 three weeks ago  with citations from his text book on Principles of Plant Nutrition Mengel and Kirkby, (2001) 5^th edition,. He fondly gifted to me  a copy of this  book  personally in  2005 with remarks “Herrn Kollegen Kumar vom Autor freundlich uberreichet ,Giessen, 9^th Juni, 2005 signed K. Mengel” . 

It will be my most cherished possession all my life.