Forde’s life’s work remembered
Bernard John Forde, MBE, JP
scientist and former deputy mayor b February 17, 1935 d October 11, 2018
APalmerston North City councillor for 27 years, Bernard Forde was one of a tight group who changed the shape of the city while he was also developing a career in science that influenced New Zealand and, possibly, the world.
Described by speakers at his memorial service as a self-made man, from humble beginnings in Khandallah, Wellington, Forde’s life was full of public service, scientific inquiry and family.
His image beamed at those attending the ceremony on the top floor of the Central Energy Trust Arena grandstand from the big screen across the grounds, a tribute to his 26 years’ service as board member and chairman of what was then the Showgrounds.
‘‘He loved this place,’’ said Sir Brian Elwood, who encouraged Forde to first stand for the council in 1971.
Elwood said along with his successor as mayor, Paul Rieger, Forde was one of the group that helped transform Palmerston North from a rural service centre into a significant educational community.
He was also a leader in picking up ‘‘the wreck’’ of the Showgrounds and turning it around.
It had been one of Elwood’s last tasks as mayor to sign the contract for the building of the ‘‘new’’ grandstand after its predecessor had been destroyed by an arsonist.
Rieger said Forde was an impressive politician for his tenacity, for the way he could convince people to work together to find solutions, and for his sharp technical mind.
He had a highly developed memory, and could always put his hands on the paperwork that proved his recall was accurate.
The three men were instrumental in appointing a purple-suited, 29-year-old Ken Tremaine as city planner to help put their hopes for a go-ahead city into action.
Tremaine said Forde was a man with ‘‘a big brain’’, and had been a serious mentor.
‘‘He expected vision and investigative excellence and total commitment. He valued community input, and valued ideas.’’
But while Palmerston North, especially ‘‘the Showgrounds’’, benefited from his input, Forde was running a parallel career in science that influenced the world beyond.
Encouraged by a single teacher after being ‘‘a less than engaged’’ schoolboy, Forde studied botany at the University of New Zealand in Wellington, before Victoria became a university in its own right, graduating with a masters degree in science.
He married Margot, and the two travelled to the University of California, Davis, where they completed doctorates.
Daughter Lucy Forde caught his passion for science and recalled his fascination with how plants worked, especially grasses.
Forde worked in the plant physiology department of the DSIR, and later, in its Grasslands Division.
In 1982 he was appointed to ‘‘his dream job’’ as environmental coordinator for the DSIR head office, becoming an influential government adviser on the Environment Act, Conservation Act, Resource Management Act and hazardous substances and new organisms legislation.
Family friend Adelia Hallett said Forde became deeply involved in researching and advising on climate change and helped establish New Zealand’s climate laboratory and attended a significant international summit on the subject in 1992.
For the next 10 years he continued to be an adviser to several ministries.
As well as his professional and service life, Forde was chairman of the Manawatu¯ Centre of the Cancer Society, an Ozanam House trustee, patron of the Sixtus Lodge Trust Board, and a member of the Science Centre and Manawatu¯ Tree Trust.
Forde died after a long illness, as officiant Paul Ranby said, ‘‘a person so dynamic, reduced to a shadow’’.
He is survived by his wife Sue, son Tim, daughters Rachel and Lucy, four grandchildren, and was a loved stepfather and step-granddad to Sue’s family. – Janine Rankin