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colonne lienard, famille, family, joseph raymond mamet, photographie, photography, raymond mamet, work
This year, June 17th is Fathers’ Day, my way of celebrating it will be a tribute to my Dad…
When in life, some decisions have to be sorted out, one is very often orientated towards someone who will for sure, indicate the best way to drive through a new road… For me this person is my Dad. Even if he passed away 22 years ago, I am more than certain that he is with the stars over there, looking at me with his blue eyes. So, my words will be about him. This will allow you, dear readers of “Drops of Everything”, to be more acquainted with my “Hero”, I will tell you who was Raymond Mamet, my beloved Dad…
Born in 1912, in Mauritius, he was from a family where literature, arts and sciences were part of the day-to-day life. Very young he showed interest in natural science. He had also in mind to become a medical doctor… But, for different reasons, after high school he studied at the Agricultural College of Mauritius, worked in the Entomology laboratory, within a short while, he was promoted to the head of this department. Even so, he fairly quickly took the opportunity to take advantage of his knowledge in a more medical way, when he joined the Ministry of Heath. His main target was to get rid of malaria on the island and he achieved his goal…
After many years of research, after being a lecturer in Colleges and Universities of several countries round the world, he retired and was not that type of person to stay at home without a target in terms of scientific research. Therefore, he joined the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute where he became technical consultant. At the time the main industry on the island, was sugar cane but the quotas having been reduced, an alternative had to be found, food-producing, so he worked quite a lot to promote this project. At the same time, he was technical adviser to anthurium flower producers, which often brought him to the Netherlands.
During all his life, he invested himself and did a huge job studying entomological faunas of Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion Island. His “favorite insect” was mealybugs… He spent hours and hours working on these 3 to 7mm (0.12″ to 0.28″) insects. I still can see him looking through his microscope, an Indian ink pen in his hand, gathering all the patience he had, drawing every single details. He spent hours, if not days. As I child, I thought this would never end.

My Dad’s microscope
Here is one of his drawings ..
During his life, travelling had no secret for him, he visited almost all the islands of the Indian Ocean, he visited and gave many conferences in Africa, Europe. He had colleagues in several countries of the world, some of whom became friends…
His work is “celebrated” worldwide… Very much respect was shown to him by many eminent scientists
I spoke of the man of science, but just a few words on the man himself.
My Dad was smart, reserved, simple, but he knew how to show his disagreement, in a very elegant way, but even so, it was said. He was one of these men whose noble-heartedness and professional skills were measured progressively by people who got to know him, and these qualities proved to be deep and strong. He had a special sense of humor with a slight British taste in it.
France was his home nation, home from where his ancestors came from, he had this strongly in his heart. The fact that he left all his insects collections, his library to the French Natural History Museum proved his attachment to the “mother land”… France rewarded him as well as other nations, but I know that when France promoted him “Commandeur des Palmes Académiques” he was so happy…and somewhat proud of being recognized for all his work and for the exceptional man he was.
Some years ago, the Republic of Mauritius, paid tribute to him, His name was added on the Colonne Liénard of the Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses. I had the opportunity to attend this moving ceremony. On this monument, all the names of eminent benefactor scientists are mentioned, as Pierre Poivre, Sir Wiliam Newton, Mahé de Labourdonnais…

Colonne Liénard
I am so thankful, Dad for all you did for me, thankful for all I have learned from you, you were caring and loving, you have always helped me and I know you are and will guide me…
A fine tribute. He was handsome, too
Thank you so much, Derrick…
A beautiful tribute Louise -He would be proud of you too.
Kind regards
Bill
That’s so kind of you Bill, thank you so much. By the way, Happy Birthday, young man! Love to you both…
Cet hommage a ton pere est tres touchant et vrai chere Louisie.
Pierre, mon mari, etait un de ses admirateurs. xxx Maryse
Merci chère Maryse, tes mots me touchent… La distance est là mais l’affection n’en est pas moins sincère. xxx
Très fière d’être la gardienne de quelques uns de ses spécimens ! Tu lui rends un bel hommage ! Bisous
Ravie de savoir qu’ils sont en de bonnes mains… Bisous!
A lovely homage to your father.
Thank you Sherry, he deserves it…
What a beautiful tribute to your father. What a fascinating man he was, and what a loving father. He would be proud of you and honored to have this story of his life shared this way. Thanks for sharing him with us today.
I had to pay tribute to him, sharing his story is the best way I could do that. We miss him a lot!
Beautiful tribute, Louise. Nice pics too!
Thank you Chandra, I sincerely appreciate…
A lovely tribute Louise. It made me think of my own father who passed over 40 years ago – thank you!
Time passes, but we will miss them forever…
Beautifully written. You are so lucky to have so many gifts. Of course this also makes me think of my Dad.
I have always told you that my dear Ira reminded me of my dear Dad… There was something amazing with these gentlemen…
How fascinating, what a lovely tribute! Thank you for sharing with us, I can see that your dad was a great man, with so many achievements! 🙂
Thank you so much Madeleine, I sincerely appreciate your kind words…
Quel homme! Tu as raison d’être fière de ses exploits. Petit hasard : Raymond est le deuxième prénom de mon père et mon grand père paternel.
Sally
Le temps passant, mes enfants et moi nous nous rendons compte de la chance et du bonheur que nous avons eus d’avoir un grand-père et un père comme lui…
wow….excellent post
Thank you for stopping by… My Dad was amazing and I had to pay tribute to him.
💜
Wonderful tribute Louise. Thank you so much for sharing his story with us. So nice to get to know you better, and your family 🙂 Such a brilliant, inquisitive, honorable man 🙂
My kids and I have been blessed to have such a wonderful Grandpa and Dad, am so thankful! Thank you so much, Sheila…