Dr. Rex H G CLEMENTS
Born in Moray Group, Maskeliya, Sri Lanka on April 2, 1945
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Passed away in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia on September 8, 2023
Dearly loved husband of Jenny
Loved and loving father of Jeremy and Romina,
and father in-law of Manny
Proud ‘Pa’ of Annika, Theo and Quinton
Beloved son of the late Victor and Stella Clements
Loved and respected brother of George, Melwyn, Shirley, Sylvia and their families
The Funeral Service for REX will be held at the Eastern Park Chapel, 271 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool on MONDAY (September 18) commencing at 3pm
Private cremation
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Funeral Notice
Service September 18, 2023 – 3:00 pm271 Raglan Pde Warrnambool, VIC View Map Venue: Eastern Park Chapel
The Funeral Service for REX will be held at the Eastern Park Chapel, 271 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool on MONDAY (September 18) commencing at 3pm Private cremation
A livewire of the Batch of ’64 is no more Dr. Rex Clements – By Dr. Noble Jayasuriya
Source : sundaytimes
I was extremely saddened to hear about the passing away of my very close friend, colleague and batchmate Rex Clements, in Melbourne, Australia a few days ago, after a brief illness. He was my roommate in university, an accomplished lecturer, scientist and gentleman of the highest order.
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Rex Clements, born on April 2, 1945 at Moray Group, Maskeliya to Victor and Stella Clements, had his entire primary and secondary education at Christian College, Kotte. In 1964 having passed the University entrance examination he entered the University of Peradeniya to pursue a degree in Agriculture and was one of the 23 of the batch of ’64 to join the Faculty of Agriculture that year.
Soon after graduation in 1968, with a First Class honours, (he obtained 13 Distinctions out of 14 subjects) breaking the existing record of late Prof. R.R. Appadurai, he joined the Faculty of Agriculture as an Assistant Lecturer of the Department of Crop Science. In 1970 he travelled to the United Kingdom for his postgraduate studies and obtained a PhD in crop physiology, from the University of Reading, Berkshire. On his return to Sri Lanka he continued as a Lecturer in Crop Science to both undergraduate and post graduate students of the Faculty of Agriculture.
In 1980, he joined the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines as a Post Doctoral Fellow and continued his research activities in rice based cropping systems. This in fact was in preference to a postdoc offer at Lincoln College, New Zealand.
However, in 1986 he decided to move out of Sri Lanka and joined the University of South Pacific, Alafua Campus, Western Samoa as the Head of Department of Crop Science.
In 1989 he moved to Australia and joined the Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture of the Glenormiston Campus, which was taken over by the University of Melbourne in 1991. He worked there as a Senior Lecturer until about 2012.
Rex was a live wire of the Agricola Batch of ’64. He was an accomplished musician, the vocalist and guitarist of the batch. He was a key figure of the three-man band named the ‘Agricolas’, who were often invited to Halls of Residence for their annual socials. The organizers provided a sumptuous dinner and the band played popular English and Sinhala songs, especially local oldies, keeping the crowds happy.
Rex Clements was also a talented badminton player. He played for the Peradeniya University in 1967 and 1968 and obtained University colours.
Rex was a kind and generous person and led a simple and happy life helping people whenever possible. He was loved by all his friends as a person who was trustworthy and dependable. He was a brilliant teacher who was always very friendly with students. He had a unique way of using the blackboard and students admired his way of teaching.
All of us from the batch of ’64 will miss him very much.
On a final and personal note, Rex was my ‘bestman’ at my wedding and my elder daughter was flower girl at his wedding. That was how close we were. I will miss him a lot. May God bless his soul.
Dr. Noble Jayasuriya
(On behalf of the Peradeniya University Agriculture batch of 1964
