In Memoriam Cornelis (Kees) Kalkman (1928—1998)

With the sudden and untimely death of Kees Kalkman on 19 January 1998, systematic botany in general and the Rijksherbarium/Hortus Botanicus in particular lost a great servant. The word servant is appropriate, because in a totally unselfish and very conscientious way Kalkman carried out all the duties associated with the various functions he held during his distinguished career. Kalkman’s busy schedule was filled by doing things that were useful for others and for projects or institutions he believed in. In an earlier note on the occasion of his retirement (Blumea 35 [1991] 277-278), I have briefly sketched Kalkman’s career and stressed his important role as Director, first of the Rijksherbarium, and later of the Research Institute Rijksherbarium/Hortus Botanicus. With the passing of time it is becoming increasingly evident how Kalkman’s strategic planning and actions have benefited the institute and systematic botany in Leiden.