A former vice chancellor for academic affairs of the University of the Philippine Los Baños (UPLB) and director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) passed away in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, March 17.
Dr. Arturo Gomez, 83, was from Ilog, Negros Occidental.
His funeral service will be at the Rangsit Methodist Church in Bangkok Monday morning, March 21, and will be followed by his cremation.
He was a professor and vice chancellor for academic affairs of UPLB, and the fifth director of SEARCA, a non-profit organization that works to elevate the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable livelihoods and provide access to modern networks and innovative markets, from 1988 to 1993.
In a UPLB announcement of his passing, he is described as a beloved mentor, colleague and a friend to many in the circle of agriculture science.
“Dr. Art will be missed by many, and will be remembered in his passion and contribution for Philippine agriculture”, it adds.
He was an agronomist and statistician, and was one of the pioneers of multiple cropping systems in the Philippines, SEARCA said on its Facebook page.
Gomez and his wife co-authored text books, including the “Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research” that has helped a lot of students and research scientists.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Kwanchai Gomez, and his son, Victor.*