Herinneren is een vorm van ontmoeten…

Dear Dr. Abel,
I’m forwarding the email I sent on July 5th - just as I did then - hoping you had received it. I waited for your reply, never imagining that your silence would come to hold such a heavy meaning.

I will never forget your support and the kind advice you gave to help advance my career. From the moment we met last year and began working together, I was truly happy to find a colleague who shared the same specialization, and who so generously offered his knowledge with that sincere and ever-bright smile.

I had already started thinking about how much our collaboration could grow and had begun making plans with great enthusiasm. Dear colleague,
I only wish we had more time to bring those ideas to life. I promise to continue the work we started, in honor of your memory and legacy.
With deep gratitude and sorrow,
Yours sincerely,
Luma

Mr Chemura was the reason I was able to study environmental science at Chinhoyi University of Technology starting 2015 , I showed up with an admission for a different program and explained to him why I wanted to switch , he listened to my story , was able to see just how passionate I was , he warmly explained what he felt might be a bit challenging to me without discouraging me ,over the years he was silently a cheerleader , messaging me on LinkedIn time and again to encourage me to follow my passion , use my voice !! Im so grateful for this life of service through a passion for people in academic field . My heartfelt condolences to his family .

Dear Dr Abel Chemura,
I am merely a student in some place on earth. Much like you, I am a passionate science lover, called a nerd for the very reason that I am still in the process of becoming a scientist one day. Reading your story so profoundly resonated with me that I tried to share some words with you. Even if I don't know you and you don't know me, you inspired me once more.
I believe that if I had the chance to meet you, we would surely discuss teaching, research, and everything in between, given the way you have wanted to spread knowledge up to this point.
It is sad to hear that you are no longer with us.
May you rest in peace.

Dear Abel and family,
“Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone” are words that came to my mind when hearing the sad news about your passing on. While these lines originate from a song by Joni Mitchell about environmental concerns, it reflects how easily we take things for granted and only realize the value when it is not there anymore. I feel having taken for granted having a wonderful, bright, and humorous colleague. While we never collaborated very closely, I enjoyed your company in the department as an independent thinker with great ideas and with lots of empathy towards your colleagues and students. Although we don’t know what is on the other side, I like to believe that your laughs and friendliness will continue to inspire. In any case, you will live on through the memories of many. I wish your family a lot of strength in dealing with this loss.

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Abel Chemura. I had the joy to start with Abel on the sectorplan 'Earth and Environmental Science' and to do parts of our UTQ together.
Abel wasn’t just a talented researcher in crop modeling; he was also a gifted communicator who cared deeply about education. Beyond his professional brilliance, he was simply a wonderful person to be around—kind, approachable, and humorous. His passing leaves a void, but I’m grateful for the time we shared.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
With warmth and sympathy,
Rosalie

Dear Abel,
How can you have been taken from us so soon? I barely had time to get to know you, but the time we had together was well spent. I immediately loved talking with you - your humor, your enthusiasm, your seriousness. You were open to discuss everything, from how to recruit a PhD student to studies in your beloved Zimbabwe. We had plans to work together on all kinds of fantastic projects there: How will I do these without you? You have left quite a gap.
My thoughts are with your family.
Marloes

Since I met you in 2022, you have greatly impacted my life. Your kindness, Knowledge sharing, empathy, and un ending support will forever be appreciated. To me you were more than a supervisor, mentor, advisor, you were a real friend. Your great humour , ideas, knwoledge and support has so much shaped my accademic journey. You have written your legacy in our hearts and we shall forever remember you. Your legacy will be carried forward. Though you leave very deep wounds in our hearts, we celebrate your life. You have lived a great life by sharing your great knowledge with very many people - You have put a great brick in making the world a better place.
My deepest heartfelt condolences to the friends, colleagues and most importantly the family.

You will forever be on our hearts Abel!
May your soul rest in Eternal peace
David - Germany

Dear relatives of Abel, I am very saddened to hear of Abel's sudden death. I have known Abel since his days as a Student and now as a colleague. I remember him as a gentle and humorous person with whom it was nice to work. He was attentive to the profession, but also to colleagues. And he was proud of his family. He will be missed by his colleagues. I wish you all every strength for the future.

I remember hiring Abel at ITC not just because he was an exceptionally promising young scientist, but also because of his infectious enthusiasm, easy laugh, and wonderfully relaxed demeanour. What stood out most was his remarkable ability to explain complex ideas with simplicity and clarity.
He studied at ITC as an MSc students way back in 2009/10 and when Abel returned to ITC as an Associate Professor in the NRS department, the joy he felt was evident to everyone. It was a privilege to work alongside him, exchanging ideas about PhD and MSc topics and putting the world to right. His unique blend of passion and expertise made him an outstanding mentor—guiding students with both rigour and warmth.
Abel brought a fresh, creative spirit to everything he did, from his innovative approach to modelling to his famous travelling workstation in a suitcase. It was a joy to brainstorm with him about big, bold ideas—like modelling the impact of climate change on food systems and vice versa. His curiosity knew no bounds.
He approached every task, project, and course with genuine excitement, a quality that inspired all of us who had the pleasure of working with him. Unsurprisingly, he was constantly in demand. My only advice to him, to manage that, was to remember that saying “no” was a perfectly acceptable answer. And now, I find myself saying “no”—no, this isn’t fair; this is not the way the story is supposed to end.
I will deeply miss Abel, a brilliant mind, a kind soul, and a dear colleague.

It is heartbreaking to hear of your passing.
May your soul find peace and eternal rest.
My deepest condolences to your loved ones—may they find strength, comfort, and healing during this profoundly difficult time.