Tribute to Dr. Gyorgy DENES
who was father of Hungarian speleologists, prominent character of speleology in 20th century honorary president of Hungarian Speleological Society, establisher of Hungarian Cave Rescue Service, honorary president of UIS Cave Rescue Commission died at 3 a.m. of 30 April, 2015 in his age 92 years.
Dr. Gyorgy DENES was born in Orosháza/South-Hungary at 3 September, 1923. He graduated in law in Pecs University. He participated in reorganization of Hungarian Speleological Society in 1958, where he became secretary, secretary general and finally honorary presidnet. He established the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service in 1961, which exist nowadays with high efficiency. He was member of presidency in Hungarian Geographical Society and in Hungarian Naturefriend Federation (HNF), president of Cave Commission of HNF and Meteor Tourist Club.
He organized the speleological department within Meteor Tourist Club in 1957. He was the leader of the exploration group of Meteor cave in 1961, the Raisz passage of Baradla cave, paleontological site of Esztramos Hill which has international interest. He was leader of uncountable cave research in different part of Hungary, but his favourite was the Aggtelek karst region.
His scientific job was wide from karsthydrology through history to linguistics. His scholarship gave him opportunity to deal with ancient diplomas and found new knowledges. He was great lecturer and was ready to share his knowledges at all time. He has more than 300 publications in Hungary and abroad in different languages.
He enjoyed the appreciation of cavers during his all life and additionally he received a lot of awards from state and governmental authorities of Hungary and foreign countries. His works and results will be significant for next generations, too.
We are saying good-bye and keep him in our best memory.
Budapest, 30 April, 2015
HEGEDUS, Gyula
