A Perspective From Georgia: A Lesson On Intangibles.

Science progresses along pathways which elude the mercurial mind. Truly innovative ideas often have their origin outside our conscious, rational mind with the role of serendipity, flashes of insight, and other elusive, quasi-mystical qualities playing a pivotal role in the creation of a truly original idea or the foundations of a new theory. The literature is replete with such accounts.

 Inspiration, however, also comes through other channels: Over his thirty-year career, Bert Tanner’s unconditional encouragement to burgeoning scientists has impacted the lives of thousands in their formative stages; Bert’s relentless call for careful quality measurements has enlightened emerging flux networks worldwide involved in trace gas instrumentation; his hard-learned lessons of heightened awareness and mindfulness in the field have been a beacon of light unconditionally advocating high-standards in environmental measurements in an era of fast-paced, high-volume publication rate.  Bert’s favorite motto ‘There are a thousand ways to die in the field ‘remains with us.  Bert Tanner’s support of novel ideas remains with us today transcending time. Supporting examples are brought forth.