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Vale Professor David Green

Publication date
Tuesday, 10 Sep 2024
Body
Professor David Green
Professor David Green 29 February 1936 – 6 September 2024.

Professor David Green passed away suddenly but peacefully on the morning of Friday, 6th September 2024, at Queenborough Rise Nursing Home.

David was a distinguished scientist born in Tasmania whose remarkable academic career included significant contributions to experimental petrology and mantle geochemistry. After obtaining his PhD from Cambridge University under Professor C.E. Tilley, David led groundbreaking research at the Australian National University (ANU) and later at the University of Tasmania. His work on basalt petrogenesis and the study of lunar samples is still foundational to our understanding of geological processes.

In 2006, David was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to the earth sciences, particularly petrology and geochemistry, through research, educational, and advisory roles and contributions to public policy formulation. He was also a former Director of the Research School of Earth Sciences at ANU from 1994-2001 and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, among many other prestigious achievements throughout his career.

David Green was a mentor and friend to many, supervising numerous PhD students worldwide. He and his late wife, Helen, who passed away in June 2024, were known for their warmth and hospitality, welcoming students and colleagues into their home as extended family.

David is survived by his six children—Kathryn, Ronald, Elizabeth, Paul, Jeanette, and Ian—their partners, 17 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and his brother Trevor.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, 16th September 2024, at St David’s Cathedral, Hobart. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed starting 10 minutes early, with a recording available for future viewing via this link: Funeral Live Stream.

Rest in peace, David, and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to science and the many lives you touched throughout your remarkable life.

His obituary, written by Professors David Ellis and Gregory Yaxley, can be found here: Obituary - Professor David Green