“Before Me Stood the Living Genius of Hydrogeology, Joe Toth”
That was exactly how I felt in September 1994, when I first met József Tóth.
At the time, I had no idea that this encounter would not only change the course of my professional career, but also lead to the birth of a new school of hydrogeology at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE).
Now that Joe has left us forever, many are mourning the world-renowned scientist. I remember the man who introduced me to the mysteries of modern hydrogeology, who showed me that in the field one must not merely look, but truly see. From him, I learned that the interconnected world of groundwater is far richer and more complex than we had ever dared to imagine.
In this personal reflection, I recall our first meeting, our years of collaboration, the birth of the ELTE school of hydrogeology, and the intellectual legacy that remains a living reality and a source of guidance for future generations.
If you would like to learn more about the Hungarian roots and connections of the internationally acclaimed founder of modern hydrogeology, I warmly invite you to read my article.
Tóth József professzorral egy kanadai terepbejáráson, a prérin, 2008