Physical geography and geomorphology, 46, 1–6 (117–122), 61–61

https://doi.org/10.17721/phgg.2023.1-6.08

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In memory of Oleh Maksymovych Adamenko

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ADAMENKO Oleh Maksymovych (23 November 1935, village of Volovytsia, Komarivske district, now Nizhyn district, Chernihiv region – 9 April 2023, Ivano-Frankivsk) was a Ukrainian scientist, geologist, and ecologist. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences in 1973 and conferred the academic title of Professor in 1974. From 1974 to 1984, he served as Head of the Department of Theoretical Foundations of Geology, and from 1978 to 1983 as Vice-Rector of the Ivano-Frankivsk Institute of Oil and Gas. From 1988 to 2007, he headed the Department of Ecology, and from 2007 to 2023 he was Professor of the same department, as well as Director of the Research Institute of Environmental Safety and Natural Resources.

He was a recipient of the Order of Merit, 3rd Class (2007), and was awarded the honorary title “Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine” in 2015.

His research focused on Quaternary geology, geomorphology, geotectonics, and environmental protection. He conducted extensive field expeditions in the Carpathians, Podillia, and Polissia, in the Black Sea region and Crimea, in the valleys of the Tysa, Prut, and Dniester rivers, as well as in Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germany.

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On 9 April 2023, Oleh Maksymovych Adamenko passed away. The scholar’s scientific life stands as an example of a constant որոն of truth, a passionate exploration of the evolution of nature and the development of society, and the integration of the latest achievements in the natural sciences.

In his own words, he always sought to unify and systematize his knowledge into a coherent whole, to discern patterns within apparent randomness—both in his chosen field of geology and in the history of humankind, which is closely intertwined with natural conditions. It is perhaps no coincidence that one of the principal directions of O. M. Adamenko’s lifelong research was connected with the study of rivers. As he himself recalled, from childhood he had been captivated by the beauty of his native Desna River and dreamed of understanding how a river is born, develops, and lives.

He later visited all the major rivers of Eurasia; yet, having settled in the Pre-Carpathian region between the two Bystrytsia rivers, he felt a deep sense of comfort and belonging. As he noted in an interview with the newspaper Halychyna: “The Dniester also inspires creativity. This river, which carries its waters from the Polish Beskids to the Black Sea, and its challenges, remain among my principal scientific interests to this day.”

Such were the aspirations of Professor Adamenko. He devoted considerable attention to environmental protection and conservation, as well as to the study and popularization of geological heritage sites. Many of his works are dedicated to the investigation of the mud volcano of Starunia and to the idea of establishing a geopark there, based on the reconstruction of palaeogeographical conditions from the time of mammoths and rhinoceroses.

Adamenko regarded the natural sciences as offering vast opportunities for the successful development of the state. As a scholar, he did everything in his power to ensure that Ukrainian science would form a solid foundation for a prosperous country and its people. As an educator, he generously shared his knowledge not only through textbooks and scholarly publications but also through popular science works, fostering a love for understanding the Earth as our common home.

The editorial board of the journal Physical Geography and Geomorphology deeply honors the memory of Oleh Maksymovych, a member of its board, with whom it was both a pleasure and a privilege to work. His defining qualities—remarkable creative energy, devotion to science, self-discipline, and outstanding scholarly achievements—were always accompanied by intelligence, kindness, and sensitivity. We believe that all his good deeds will find достойне continuation in the lives of his descendants, friends, colleagues, and students.