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FAREWELL TO AN INDUSTRY STALWART
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Charles Nicolson , who was involved and passionate for many a decade , and across a number of sectors involving water cooling technology .
Charles was a physics and chemistry graduate from the university of Natal and was further qualified in applied engineering and applied microbiology . He had a broad range of experience in many technologies where water was prominent , with particular interest and involvement with water used in cooling processes . His service in these aspects spanned over 40 years .
In 1985 he pioneered the practical application of electro-magnetic induction on evaporative cooling water circuits for inhibition of scaling , and was subsequently involved in research on physical water treatment conducted by the Rand Afrikaans University under the auspices of the South African Water Research Commission .
Although most of his work had been done in Southern Africa , Charles also had extensive experience in the Unites States of America , Europe , South America , and Australia in his endeavours to deploy optimum practical methods for reliable and effective cooling water conditioning .
© RACA Journal
Throughout my time at IMD , Charles ’ participation and support of our brands was always outstanding , not to mention his exceptionally broad knowledge through the topics he was able to write about month after month !
When I took over as editor of the RACA Journal last year , around this time , my engagements with the industry revealed how well known and respected Charles was , and his latest column came up often in conversation each time I asked what the individuals thought about the content of the publication . Needless to say , the result would always end in praise and gratitude of his participation and sharing of his knowledge .
I was further intrigued by the number of calls I had to field of people looking for Charles to discuss his other published works , and to get advice on challenges no one else was able to assist with , or even give advice on .
Having him review many of my articles prior to publishing , he had such a wonderful way of rewording information into a simple and easy to follow structure which I admired , and which revealed his depth of subject matter understanding .
I am certain his contributions were , and will continue to be of great use as references for many more people long into the future .
Thank you , Charles – your loss is deeply sad for the industry . May you rest in peace .
Benjamin Brits , editor of the RACA Journal .
After so many decades of service to the HVAC & R industry , there is no denying that the passing of Charles Nicolson is a great loss . He was an incredible resource with knowledge beyond compare in his area of expertise – not to mention a great , caring person who loved to laugh .
I had the privilege of working with Charles for nearly a decade at RACA Journal . Not only did Charles contribute an article every month , he was also our technical proofreader . In our first few years of working together , Charles would still come into the office every month to read the printed-out copies of the magazine . He would take his trusty red pen through the pages diligently to make sure our work was technically sound ( and grammatically too ). These days were a joy in the office and there was always much laughter to be shared with Charles .
Charles was always willing to help ; to patiently explain technical concepts way beyond my grasp in a way that made sense to me . And he did so with a smile ( and unmatched patience ). He was always on time , always delivered good work , and really took pride in what he did – living and breathing his trade through and through . This is what I will always remember of Charles Nicolson – a legend .
My sincerest condolences to Charles ’ friends , family , and colleagues . His memory will live on in his work and legacy . Ilana Koegelenberg , past editor of the RACA Journal
I met Charles shortly after the company acquired SA Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Journal , now RACA Journal , and was in awe of his knowledge in the field of cooling and water . He was always willing to offer advice and guidance as my knowledge of HVAC & R was zero .
A few years later , after making some terrible technical errors due to my zero knowledge , I brought Charles in as technical editor , a task to which he was more than suitably qualified for . In addition , as an author in his own right , he contributed greatly to RACA Journal with his monthly contribution .
Always on time and as the world moved more and more towards electronic communications , he would edit the publication electronically . Whenever he went overseas ( which he did annually ), we would get an early call that as he would be away , and we needed to give him the material for checking earlier !
As a stickler for accuracy , Charles would even question some ASHRAE content !
Charles will be missed by all of us at IMD and especially RACA Journal . Certainly , a life well lived and to be celebrated .
Rory Macnamara , director at Interact Media Defined . RACA
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