In November, Africa lost a pioneering scientist, Dr. Robert J. Carsky, whose work will have lasting impact on hundreds of thousands of African farmers. At the time of his death, Bob was working as a cropping systems agronomist for The Africa Rice Center (WARDA) in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. The entire CGIAR staff and families of The Africa Rice Center and IITA lost a colleague, mentor, and friend.

Bob devoted his life and all his scientific skill to those goals. At IITA he did seminal work in finding natural ways to enhance the fertility of soils so they would grow more food. In much of Africa, where farmers have little or no access to chemical fertilizers, the technologies Bob developed and tested offered real hope.

Bob is survived by his wife Rebecca and children Jasmine, Amado, and Julien. The impact of his work on so many African families will be his permanent legacy. He will be greatly missed.