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EULOGY FOR
ROBERT JAMES CARSKY
NOVEMBER 22, 2004
(Eulogy delivered by Edwin Price, Vice Chair, WARDA
Board of Trustees and Associate Vice Chancellor, Texas
A&M University System, at Bob’s funeral)
In the cycle of
agriculture we are awed, like Robert Carsky must have
been by the emergence of the plant from the seed, and by
the plant reaching ever upward and outward to the light
and to the rain. We are awed by the fruit, by the
shedding of new seed, and by the long, colorful,
graceful, generous, loving embrace by the earth of God’s
creations, as each returns to whence it came.
Yes too -- we are awed by God’s early embrace to himself
of Robert Carsky. Bob was a great agriculturalist, and
it seems too unnatural that Rebecca, Jasmine, Amadou,
and Julien, will not be with him in that most beautiful
age of life, when seed have begat seed, and many leaves
have reached out for the sun and rain. But Bob is with
God now and watches lovingly as you, his family, and we
his friends, grow in spirit, and seek the open sky, the
warm sun, and the sustaining rain. We rejoice in the
renewing rain. And we rejoice in the cleansing rain that
blows across Bouaké to remove the stain of mens’
ignobility.
We will miss deeply and longingly Bob’s leisurely,
graceful, generous, colorful life upon the land. The
conflict and the bombs came far too soon, and with far
too great a surprise. So too for the young French
soldiers who would be Bob’s protectors. So too for the
Africans who were, and are and always be his friends and
beneficiaries.
Robert is acclaimed in Africa, indeed the world, to be
among the brightest cropping systems agronomists. In
October in Bouaké we were talking, and Bob said “my
approach may be different than yours.” I don’t believe
that scientists can create cropping systems. I cannot
make a cropping system. Only farmers can make cropping
systems. He said his role was to give farmers good
ideas, and good technologies – only some of the pieces
that they need. Farmers build the systems.
Robert’s words in early October reminded me
then of Joyce Kilmer’s words that “only God can make a
tree.” Now in November it suggests to me that God made
Robert, a perfect piece, to fit his plan, to build his
world.
Unfortunately in this world it is not only soldiers
whose lives are at risk. Those seeking only to serve –
agriculturists, builders, drivers, teachers – are taking
risks to create a better future for others. I am so
very, very sorry that such a talented man, father,
husband, son, brother, and uncle has been taken.
It could have been me. I had just been twice to Iraq and
Afghanistan to plant crop demonstrations. I was caught
in the September 2002 rebellion in Bouaké. The odds were
stacking up against me. I helped make the decision to go
back to Bouaké. Bob and I arrived there the same day. I
talked to Bob and we both knew that it was he who was
needed.
It was such a joyous occasion for so many of us to be
back in Bouaké, with the backing of the United Nations.
Bob was excited about the new era. Only a week later in
DeMoines, Iowa, WARDA was celebrated by the award of the
World Food Prize in Agriculture to Dr. Monty Jones and,
as Monty said, to all his colleagues for their work on
those very fields at M’be, near Bouaké. WARDA was
applauded for its return to work at Bouaké.
The Africa Rice Center had turned the corner. Only honor
and achievement could lie ahead. Bob was at the right
place. All of us were at the right place.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of WARDA, the Africa
Rice Center; on behalf of its management, Dr. Kanayo
Nwanze and his staff; and from me who found a kindred
spirit, in Bob, a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, I offer
our deepest condolences to the Carsky family for the
loss of their fine hero. It is a terrible loss for you.
A terrible loss for West Africa, and a terrible loss for
the cause of development. Rebecca, Jasmine, Amadou, and
Julien this community is here for you. Call upon us, let
us help.
Peace
Asalam Alaikum
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