In memory of Prof. Roy Lubke

It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of the passing of Prof. Roy Lubke. Roy was a founding partner of CES when it was established in January 1990 and served as an Associate Consultant after his post-retirement. His zest for life, abundant knowledge and passion for the environment were infectious.

CES, now a successful environmental and social consulting company that has been in business for 36 years established after Roy Lubke and Ted Avis initiated an EIA on the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia for Richards Bay Minerals (RB). Paul Camp, the rehabilitation manager at RBM contacted Roy in 1989 to see if he could assist with an environmental assessment. RBM wanted to mine a concession they had on the Eastern Shores of St Lucia. This EIA rapidly developed into one of the most controversial EIAs in South Africa, spanning almost 3 years and expanding to involve the CSIR, the Environmental Evaluation Unit of UCT and the then national Department of Environmental Affairs. But it was also a seminal piece of work, allowing CES to make contributions to the then fledgling field of EIA’s in SA. In fact, the impact rating scales used today in our environmental legislation were developed during the St Lucia EIA, expanding Roy’s academic contributions into the field of environmental science.

Roy has influenced countless students and colleagues for almost 60 years of involvement in research and education, with 50 of those years being associated with his beloved alma mater, Rhodes University in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape where he was an incredible academic and teacher.
We would like to thank Roy, on behalf of colleagues and hundreds, if not thousands of students who were so positively and meaningfully influenced by Roy, the man, the academic and the kind soul. The Botanical world is a poorer place without him.

We would like to extend condolences to individuals who shared very long-standing friendships, academic and business relationships with Roy.

Rest easy Roy, we will all miss you.

From all at CES