Obituary: Dr Neil Cherry

Scientist, local body politician. Died aged 56.

Outspoken Christchurch scientist Neil Cherry has been silenced, not by his critics but by motor-neurone disease.

Dr Cherry began his science career at Lincoln University, specialising in weather and climate research and contributing to major research in wind and solar energy, climate change and seasonal forecasting.

He later developed international expertise in human biometeorology, air quality, and the health effects of natural and artificial electromagnetic radiation.

The 56-year-old former Canterbury regional councillor died at his Riccarton home on Saturday after a sudden deterioration in his condition.

Although his body had been slowly shutting down for the past 18 months, up until last week he was still working on a scientific paper.

Former colleagues described Dr Cherry as a visionary and as a man who cared passionately for the environment and for science.



Family friend and regional councillor Valerie Campbell said thousands of ordinary New Zealanders, not just the scientific community, would mourn a "great fighter for the environment".



Dr Cherry had pushed hard for the introduction of wind power, and in the past week had watched proudly as the company he helped set up, Windflow Technology, erected its first wind turbine in Gebbies Pass.

Managing director Geoff Henderson described Dr Cherry as a man of "tremendous intelligence and courage, including the courage to speak his views even when they were unpopular".

Dr Cherry is survived by his wife, Gae, and daughters Jo and Carla.

- NZPA