Our community has lost an excellent colleague and scientist, an integrator, a team player a native of Ames, Iowa. I had the honor to host Steve here at the National Lab for Agriculture and the Environment here at his home turf. I am saddened with his loss and my deep condolences to his family. Steve has been so generous to me and many others and I will miss him. You are forever with us my good friend.

I was really shocked and saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. Steve was a good man, with a talent for seeing the bigger picture and for bringing people together. We spent a lot of time together over the years, working on building up food security research and particularly through N8 agri-food. Being in a meeting with Steve was always fun and the last time I saw him was late 2023 for a surreptitious pint an catch up with colleagues, characteristically jolly with plenty of amusing anecdotes and warmth, I still am in shock that will be the last time. Really gonna miss you buddy x

I met Barney when I started my Ph.D. at EAWAG in Hochnebelville, Switzerland (aka Dübendorf - a true Barney quote that stuck with me). Upon my arrival, it was Barney who showed me around EAWAG and Prof. Stumm’s group. I had just returned from a nearly 3-year stay in Oregon, USA, and was suffering tremendously from what could be considered a serious counter-culture shock, but after spending a few hours with Barney, the world already looked brighter again. After some time, Barney moved on and while I heard rumours regarding his whereabouts from time to time, I somehow lost direct connection. He was one of those people that I wanted to reconnect with, but never managed to – so, all of you out there thinking of reconnecting someday: do not wait too long, do it while things are fine – I think Barney would like that.

I was so deeply saddened to hear about Steve passing away and would like to pass on my condolences to his family and friends. It was always a pleasure to work with Steve, who was so positive, great company, and passionate about soils. He will be greatly missed.

I will always value having had Steve as a colleague and a friend. I first met him on a trip to China 7 or 8 years ago where he was so welcoming and encouraging of me as an early career researcher. In recent years I have had the pleasure of working more closely with him at GFEI in Leeds where we shared big ideas that we will continue to pursue and bring something to fruition that he would have been proud of. I am thinking of Steve's family and closest friends at this very sad time.

I'm so shocked to hear the news about dear Steve. I first met him in Sweden in the 1990s when we worked together on the REX project with colleagues from around the world. His warm personality, enthusiasm, kindness and intelligence was an inspiration to me. He will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to the Banwart family.

When I think of Steve, it is his smile and warm nature that come to mind. Steve was a great champion of those earlier in our careers and would listen generously and welcome all contributions. I will always appreciate that and will miss how he led by example with kindness. I am so sorry for your family's loss.

I knew Steve through the N8 Agrifood Programme when he was based in Sheffield and met him again more recently at a Global Food and Environment Institute workshop in Leeds. He was always very friendly, approachable and interested in those around him. It was a huge shock to hear he had passed away and I send my deepest sympathies to Steve's family.

I was so shocked to hear of Steve's passing. He was a wonderful colleague, I very much admired his vision and drive, and learnt a lot about how to get things done whilst continuing to be a gentle and thoughtful man. He'll be very sorely missed.

Duebendorf, Switzerland, in the late 1980s. Memories of our friendship group, where Barney was the instigator of much of what we did. Memories of langlaufen in the Swiss mountains, drinks and very long discussions about anything and everything, the Schwarzwald in Germany for Christmas, sharing very old Dutch cheese in France, and a blues party (where everything to eat and drink had to be blue, and the cake turned green because of the egg yolk). Barney was the hub of our friendship group at that time. He was there for support when things were tough, and lightened the place with his sense of humour. A very lovely and kind man, gone too soon. Our deepest condolences to his wife and daughters.

We never met in person, but I was Steve’s travel consultant for many years during his time at Bradford, Sheffield and Leeds Universities. It was a pleasure to work with him: his journeys were always interesting and sometime challenging. I am very sorry and sad to hear of his passing and would like to offer my sincere condolences to Jane and their daughters, and to the many colleagues whose lives he affected and who will miss him greatly.

I had the pleasure of sitting on an interview panel with Steve last autumn and it was the first time that we had met. Steve had such a sunshine personality that lit up the room and made the day all the more enjoyable. A lovely, sincere and passionate man. I was truly shocked and saddened to hear of the devastating news. God Bless you Steve.

Barney was a HUGE part of my high school fun and shenanigans. We were in all the arts events together, and he led us through our high school's concourse (main hallway) doing Monty Python silly walks. I lost track of him after graduation, but would see photos when he visited our friends living in Sweden and China. I was not at all surprised to learn of his career path and successes. He was one of a kind -- brilliant, hilarious, and above all, kind. I'm so sad we don't have more years to benefit from his intellect and humor. I will continue to think of him every time I drive by his parents' house, or see a Monty Python movie or television rerun (and I still have a penguin on my telly!).

I had the pleasure of meeting Steve once, when we had lunch to celebrate a mutual colleagues success in a teaching award (which he organised). We talked about mainly life and family, and a little bit of work, and he gave me a little of his wisdom which I was very grateful for! I was utterly shocked and saddened in the new year to discover Steve was no longer with us, and this was a result of only spending an hour with him... but that is the measure of his impact with people...

I never worked closely with Steve, but came into contact with him in several meetings, and each time I was left impressed not only by his intellect and enthusiasm, but in his selfless efforts to support the research and careers of others. A very sad loss - he will be missed by so many. My thoughts are with his family and friends

It is difficult for me to put to words all the things I want to say about Steve! We were friends all of our lives; from grade school to present, as his nickname changed from “Herb” to “Barney”. We spent many hours together camping and roaming the hills of his childhood home in the summer, and in the winter. From mixing Dr. Freemont's Cure-all in his basement and listening to the Atomic Clock on his shortwave radio; to staying up late and listening to Lem and Abner, and National Lampoon on the radio. Not to mention listening to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. We started many a fire with his home chemistry set, until we heard his mom yell down, “What’s burning down there!” In high school we were in Band, the Thespian Club, Choir, and had many adventures on school Band trips. When we were old enough and I got my Dad's old 1957 Aluma-Craft Boat running, we gave birth to the Scarvydog. We would go out on the Mississippi River when we could and took many an expedition both up and down river. I have many fond memories with Barney on the River! As we went to college we continued to keep in touch, and as you would imagine some rivalry as I attended Iowa State University, and Barney at the University of Iowa, but we never missed a chance to get together over breaks and vacations. Once Steve moved to Europe we got together less frequently, but when we did, we picked up where we left off. I was always impressed with his intellect and professionalism, and yet his ability to act unreserved and find humor in some of the strangest things! We always had major gut laughs when we were together! He seemed to be able to develop relationships with everyone he came into contact with and was kind and considerate to all he would meet. Thank you for years of friendship and memories Barney. I will miss you dearly!

Although our areas of interest were rather loosely connected, Steve brought a level of influence to any conversation in proportion to his outstanding levels of energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and creativity. I’ll miss his inspiring contribution to research leadership across the University.

I was devastated to learn about Barney (also known as: Steven Banwart) passing away. I met Barney when he was doing his Ph.D. in EAWAG with Prof. Werner Stumm and Dr. Barbara Sulzberger on dissolution of hydrous iron(III) oxides by reductive mechanisms and I worked in EAWAG as a research assistant and later did my Ph.D. with Prof. Laura Sigg. During those student days in EAWAG we became really good friends and had long and meaningful conversations. We spent lots of time strolling leisurely in the streets of Zurich with a group of Ph.D. students , imitating the Swiss speaking Swiss Germans, going together to dinner parties, drinking lots of beer, hiking in the Swiss alps, talking about the meaning of life, laughing and spent time just being friends. This very tall and very special young student from Iowa, was so unmaterialistic, always relaxed, never stressed about anything, and always enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and friendship. Barney was always thinking about others, helping when needed, cheering me up when feeling down, smiling, being positive and being always optimistic. We drifted out of contact but recently we got in touch and he was telling me about how his daughter and her partner love living in Cardiff. We were just talking about arranging a little reunion here in Geneva in der Schweiz (as he loved calling Switzerland) with mutual friends from the EAWAG period. Now all of a sudden he cannot join us and its so sad that such a lively person is not with us anymore. I will always remember him and will always miss him.

I am still struggling to comprehend the news of Steve's death, as are so many people whose lives he touched over many decades and finding the words to capture all that Steve meant to me is so hard. I first met Steve about 10 years ago when we developed the bid for the N8 Agrifood programme - as a psychologist I felt a bit like a fish out of water in the team - but at the time and ever since Steve made me feel that what I had to contribute was valuable and what I did was interesting and worthwhile. When he moved to Leeds we worked even more closely together - becoming joint leads of the Food Theme, after a joint interview which was a hoot. I loved that Steve loved to laugh and could see the funny side of situations however frustrating they might be. We shared a love of Monty Python and could compare some of these experiences to sketches we both loved. I am so moved by the emotions and stories others have shared - Steve's warmth and dedication to others, helping them develop their skills and careers in a selfless manner is rare in academia and there is much to learn from Steve's approach and ethos. I appreciated his loyalty to his team whether that was commitment to N8, GFEI or MSc and PhD students, his impressive intellect and ability to see the bigger picture, his resilience and indefatigable positivity. For me, Steve was a mentor and a friend and a very good listener (I talk a lot!) in our monthly chats. His good counsel helped me through some difficult years and enabled me to remain resilient in the face of difficult people. He helped and supported me to make some life changing decisions - always with a "you can do it, go for it" - ever positive but always pragmatic. Our last work conversation centred around how we might build even closer links between GFEI and the Institute for Sustainable Food at the two institutions where Steve spent most of his UK career - I will try to deliver on this for Steve. Our personal conversations spanned life, the world and everything but always came back to his lovely family and how much he adored his wife and daughters. He reminded me of my Dad in many ways. Most recently we talked about our new puppies, Ivy and Harmony, the biting phase and the fun we were having. Steve, the warm, kind and fun guy was just as lovely as Steve, the renowned and respected scientist. Losing a parent is not easy at any age - something Steve and I discussed a lot when I lost my mum and he his Dad but i hope that his beloved daughters will cherish their memories of this wonderful Dad and I am sure that he has instilled in them some of the strength, warmth and humbleness that he exuded. The tributes here put so much into words and reflect how deeply Barney touched so many people. Steve was a great guy, proud to be a Yorkshireman through his clearly loving marriage and I am truly sluffoned by his passing.

It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that Steve is no longer with us. Knowing Steve has been an absolute privilege; working closely with him, learning from him. Through countless meetings, trips and engagements, what comes back to me the most are the smiles, laughter and Steve’s boundless positivity. These made every event more enjoyable, and because of that, more productive. Steve was also incredibly generous and selfless, with a strong sense of equity and empathy, making him so effective and appreciated as a mentor and champion for the people who worked with him. These characteristics also explain why he was so well placed to provide leadership in tackling the grand global challenges around food, climate and sustainability. His passion for making the world a better place, locally, regionally and globally was truly inspirational. It didn’t take much for Steve’s face to light up, but the greatest sense of joy always shone out when he talked about his family. He was such a proud and devoted husband and father, and my heart goes out to you all. I hope you can find some measure of solace and peace from reading just how loved and respected Steve was in his professional life.

This is a very sad and unfair loss. I worked with Steve when he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bradford. We had lots of fun taking students to Whitby on a residential surveying field course every September. Often staying late in the Duke of York having a beer after work and rounding late students. He had a great sense of humour and very positive personality. He was a very successful researcher. Lots of people will miss him very much. A great loss for the science.

I worked with Steve during the N8AgriFood years, 2017-2020, when he was my boss leading the internationalisation of the programme. A true internationalist, he had a clear vision where and how to engage the programme in the US, China, Argentina and beyond. Encouraging and always with a positive, open outlook, he had many stories and connections to share from around the world, and even my home country, Greece. A great and inspiring colleague to work and travel with, his enthusiasm for China and its people (and his ability to effortlessly order food in Chinese) inspired me to learn the language. He will be greatly missed.

I am very shocked and so very sad to hear this news. Barney was a wonderful person. I worked with him in Sheffield for 5 years, he was fun, kind and very supportive. I have lots of fond memories of working with him on various projects, organising events and marking the start of summer with a Hawaiian shirt! He was a great person and will be greatly missed by many. My deepest condolences to the Banwart family. Rest in peace Barney.

How is it possible that dear Barney is gone?! My heart breaks for his family. From how he spoke about his wife and daughters, it was always clear that he had a wonderful relationship them despite frequent travelling to help protect our planet and people all over the world by using his knowledge, technical skills, and charm. I met Barney at a conference 20 years ago as a PhD student in the US and enjoyed seeing him many times over the years around the world through our mutual interests and work on the critical zone, soils, and chemical weathering. He was so supportive when I moved to the UK from the US, helping me navigate UK science and get stuck into the soil and critical zone community. It still makes me smile to remember him busting out laughing when I first pronounced aluminium like a Brit without realising it, while I was giving a talk at a meeting! He was always working to support other scientists and engineers, by building communities, working to get funding schemes that would benefit many scientists beyond his own team, and mentoring and lifting up others. He was always up for a laugh, a party, and was great fun to be around. Nobody ever had a negative word to say about him. I hope his family take comfort in knowing that people all over the world who knew him professionally valued him so very much as a scientist, an engineer, a colleague, a leader, a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. He was truly one of the very best people and he will be dearly missed.

Steve was an incredibly supportive leader at GFEI. I am very grateful for his invaluable encouragement and for enthusiastically joining my endeavours. He gave me invaluable advice, and I am very sorry for our loss.

On behalf of the School of Earth System Science (SESS) at Tianjin University, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Prof. Steven Banwart's family, friends and colleagues. Prof Banwart was a distinguished Earth Scientist with a global reputation. Steve was widely recognised not only for his leading research on soil/water resources and sustainability but also as an architect of the Critical Zome concept. His passion for pursuing academics and research excellence has led to several key advances of SESS after he became an honorary professor of Tianjin University and a member of the International Academic Advisory Committee (IAAC) of SESS in 2018, including the innovative undergraduate program in Geography and the establishment of Tianjin Bohai Rim Coastal Earth Critical Zone National Observation and Research Station. His contributions to our discussion during his attendance at three International Workshops on Surface Earth System Science hosted in Tianjin were always stimulating and inspiring, and I was always impressed by his enthusiasm for new ideas as well as for building global academic partnerships. His passing came as a shock to me personally and it not only a great loss to Leeds, but also to the whole academic community. Steve was greatly respected and loved by many in China and around the world, and will be sadly missed.

Steve made a great impression on me in the short time I knew him as a colleague. He was inclusive, welcoming, supportive, intelligent, thoughtful—and playful. It is such a great shame he has gone and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

Steve made a huge and positive impression in my professional life at Sheffield uni and was a great mentor. His drive, enthusiasm and motivation will be missed.

I am a visiting scholar invited by Steve. I was so shocked and sad to hear Steve’s passing, and it is still very hard to accept that we can’t meet as usual every two weeks. Steve’s encouraging words and smiling face are so clear in my mind, just like we had met this morning. Steve was always cheerful, enthusiastic, inspiring and constructive not only in academic, but also in perfecting one’s personality. I am so honored that Steve had talked with me for many times, and I do have learned a lot from him. Rest well, thank you and I will miss you deeply Steve.

Steve was an amazing scientist and a wonderful colleague but, more importantly, he was a great human being. Always an absolute pleasure to work with he would come out with great ideas and support all those around him in such a generous and warm way. I loved the way that Steve spoke so happily about his family and my heartfelt condolences to those closest to him who are dealing with so much right now. A very special person gone too soon who I will miss greatly. Sleep well, Steve x

Over 45 years, Steve was the best friend a person could ever hope for. I treasure the many late nights we spent together, exploring the connections between what we were learning to how things work in the world, scientifically and socially. Steve enthusiastically welcomed so many into his life, and he was relentlessly optimistic about what could be achieved and exemplified it his personal and professional lives. He connected so many diverse groups of people, enriching countless lives. I met some of my oldest friends through Steve, indirectly including my wife, and the time I've spent with his family was always special. Steve was never big on saying goodbye, so on parting, I always used to say "I'll see you in the future". For so long, that future was always within reach. I'm grateful for every bit of it we had together. Farewell, my friend.

We at Michigan State University in USA are deeply saddened by the news of passing of Steven Banwart. Steve was a great leader with a global vision. His passion and openness to collaborate with institutions internationally to address pressing global challenges was remarkable. I personally met with Steve on a number of occasions and always appreciated his friendly nature. Our condolences and sympathies to Steve's family.

I was initially shocked, then hugely saddened by the news of Steve's recent death. I would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to his close family & friends, who must have been devastated by recent events. My regular contact with Steve was initially driven by our shared interest in soil health and over the last few years I have had the pleasure of working with him on joint projects and spending time in his company. He was innovative in his thinking, thoughtful toward others, sharing and funny. His sense of humour and unique ability to engage people effectively was always evident. He will be greatly missed.

I met Steve a few years ago when he invited me through a colleague to join a workshop he was co-organising at a nature-based solutions symposium. A few years later when I joined the University of Leeds I met him again at various meetings. He was really supportive of younger members of staff, making us feel included and appreciated. He was a very friendly and warm person, generous with his time and ideas. He will be sorely missed. All my support to his family and friends.

His lecture and seminars on the sustainable food systems MSc course at UofL in 2022 left a lasting impression on me, as too his approachability and kindness in answering silly questions during my MSc Research Project. He inspired my project choice and approach and calmed the cohort's concerns about climate tipping points - providing priceless perspective. Gone far too soon, much love to friends and family.

I am extremely sad to know about sudden and untimely demise of Prof. Steven Banwart. I worked very closely with Steve between 2017 and 2020 and accompanied him on multiple trips to Nanjing, China. Steve was an absolute delight to work with and was a brilliant mentor and researcher. But most importantly he was very generous, and patience personified with his younger colleagues. My heartfelt condolences are with Steve’s family and friends. Rest in peace Steve, we will all miss you very dearly.

Oh my Barney, this is just gut-wrenching to hear. I had always hoped to reconnect with you sometime. Guess that's a lesson to all of us to do it now. Sweet memories from our youth: making lasagne at your house, home videos, walking across the bridge over the Mississippi after plays, Monty Python reenactments, iconic Pizza Hut Trips, and the homemade cough syrup that you made me for Christmas after learning about herbs from a local lady expert. Your vivacious wit and personality, boundless energy, and fierce loyalty will always be remembered. Loving Memories of you will echo from all corners of this world and their ripple will not fade. The impact you made is permanent. I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet your family or you mine. I'm so sorry for the anguish your family is feeling and so glad they had you for the time that they did.

Your passion and commitment to the national agri-food community was inspirational and on a personal level I appreciate all the encouragement and support you showed me since I returned to Leeds.

Steve was so full of life and energy and it is such a shock to process that he’s no longer with us. He is such a loss to Leeds and his global network, but what a life well lived. He made used of every moment, achieving so much and inspiring and supporting so many lives as evidenced by these tributes. It was an absolute privilege to know, work and learn from Steve. Sending my deepest condolences to his family.

I cannot thank you enough for all the stimulating discussion we had previously and in December. You were the true source of optimism and such a visionary leader. Can’t believe you are no more but you will be living through all the people whom you have inspired over years day in day out. Heartfelt condolences to Steve’s family and friends.

It was a great pleasure and a great privilege to have worked with Steve. He had in abundance the ability to create the most positive synergies and he always showed tremendous enthusiasm for the success of those around him: a most inspirational and generous leader.

Steve was a visionary scientist and inspirational leader. I had the privilege of knowing Steve in the capacity of a colleague, collaborator and as a mentor at the University of Leeds. Steve guided me through setting up my own research group at Leeds and provided continued support over these years. Steve’s passion for interdisciplinary research, collegiality and drive to move science forwards to solve global challenges are just a few of the qualities I will strive to take forward in my own career. From the thoughts shared on this page it is clear that through his work, Steve provided many wonderful opportunities to so many researchers. Steve was supportive of his colleagues and was always the first to emphasise colleagues’ strengths and achievements in meetings. Steve’s legacy will be shown through continued value to projects and ideas, and his contribution to the personal and professional development of colleagues. Steve will be missed across the University and wider community. My heartfelt condolences are with Steve’s family and friends.

With a deep sense of loss, I share my reflections and acknowledge the profound impact left by Steve, an esteemed colleague and dear friend. Steve's kindness, warmth, and dedication were immediately evident in the brief period we worked together. My connection with Steve was marked by a unique opportunity to work with him as part of the Global Food and Environment Institute External Advisory Board. Steve's confidence in me and his acknowledgement of my potential opened doors to a world of meaningful engagement and contribution. Being a member of the Advisory Board under Steve's leadership was not just a professional milestone but a journey filled with mentorship and guidance. His ability to listen attentively, consider diverse perspectives, and implement thoughtful suggestions was a testament to his exceptional leadership style. Steve didn't just invite me into a professional role; he created an environment where my contributions were valued. His belief in the power of collaboration and the strength of collective wisdom set a standard that inspired everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him. As we mourn the loss of Steve, let us also celebrate the incredible opportunities he provided and the impact he had on each of us. His legacy is not only in the institutional advancements he achieved but also in the individuals he supported and nurtured. During this challenging time, I extend my deepest sympathies and encourage us to remember Steve's positive influence on our lives. Let us honour his memory by continuing his passionate work and embodying the collaborative spirit he so ardently championed. With heartfelt condolences,

Steve was a wonderful colleague and friend. I will cherish our seven years as partners in crime on all things farming and food, through our work together for the institute he led, the Global Food and Environment Institute, through the University farm and our work for the N8 partnership. Working with Steve was such fun and there was always time for a light-hearted giggle. He had a great laugh that could transform the mood in a room wherever he went. Both hailing from farming backgrounds, we traded stories about agricultural experiences in different parts of the world and excitement about innovations that could make producing food smarter and more sustainable. We had so many great days out at agri-tech shows, exhibitions, meeting with industry partners, alumni, international academics and farmers, where Steve would be in his element enthusing about soils, critical zones, data and systems and always with a rapt audience. Steve was an inspirational scientist and a wonderful mentor to many. He loved a challenge and his enthusiasm was infectious to all around him. I loved how he spoke with such clear adoration and pride about his family and, more recently, their gorgeous little puppy Ivy who he would sweetly bring onto video calls every now and then. Funny, gentle, kind and brilliant, he was a wonderful human being and my goodness we will miss him terribly. My heartfelt condolences to all his family and loved ones. I hope that the outpouring of love and respect for Steve that is so evident in each and every tribute here brings you comfort.

Devastated to hear of Barney’s far to early passing. He supervised me in GPRG (Sheffield) from 2004-2008 and we continued to stay in touch. It was his enthusiasm even before that during my undergraduate course which set me towards a career in hydrogeology and environmental consultancy. He was a true leader with wisdom and empathy in spades. I fondly remember attending a 2005 European Bioremediation conference with Steve in Crete where his joy for life with such a broad academic network was as bright as his choice of shirt! Genuinely and thoroughly saddened to hear the news and want to extend sincere sympathy to Barney’s family and wider academic colleagues.

Since I got the news, I've been feeling very sad, and it's brought back a ton of memories. I first met Steve just before the N8 trip to Argentina in 2017, and ever since then, he's been super supportive and kind to me. Randomly my husband visited his hometown and this helped deepen our connection. Steve was always asking about my little kids and would share stories about his own daughters when they were little. He gave me advice and encouragement as a researcher and neo-parent, reminding me that even though it's tough, it's a lot of fun. I will miss him!

After my move to Leeds, Steve was one of the most supportive people I worked with. He was instantly generous and his passion for Sustainable Food and making a real difference was inspiring. I'm grateful to have known him and he will be much missed by many of us.

Hearing the news of Steve's passing has been such a shock. Steve was such a wonderful mentor to me, he took me under his wing, teaching me the ropes of academic life. He was such a champion for early career members of staff always striving to share his spotlight and I cannot begin to thank him enough for his passion, openness and kind nature. Rest well.

Steve was a great inspirational leader. He shared his knowledge of generously, and his passion for equity, diversity and sustainability was contagious. Always full of anecdotes from his travels, it was great fun travelling and working with him. His research made me aware of the importance of the 'critical zone', and his work will have a legacy for future generations.

I will always remember Steve for his generosity with others, offering his support to scientists young and old and his good nature. The scientific community will really miss him.

I will never forget your "T-Banana face", Barney. Neither the burguer with too much moutarde Dijon, or the "tortilla de patatas" on the floor of the kitchen, or how you managed to make me enjoy the Stockholm coffee and how you added light to the days. Thank you for many things!!

I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news! Steven had been instrumental to the dual degree PhD program between the University of Leeds and Nanjing University. He had also helped to launch the joint PhD program in atmospheric sciences between two universities. Many NJU students have come to UoL through these two programs in past several years. These two programs have just recently been renewed for another three years, which is a great tribute to Steve’s endless efforts and dedication to the collaboration between two universities for research and for cultivating the next-generation of scientists. Steve will be remembered for his kindness, his optimism, and his enthusiasm for promoting international collaborations for solving the global sustainable development problems!

Steve will be well-remembered. We went together on a N8AgriFood mission to Argentina in 2017, and had a great time discussing the common things between our two American countries. Happy, enthusiastic and positive, Steve had a very positive effect on people.

Steve was a very warm and welcome person to run into at Nexus. Always there for a quick chat and listening ear, I will very much miss our occasional race to secure a booth.

I will very much miss Steve's wisdom, kindness and positivity. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

I was very shocked and sad to hear the news about Steve's passing. We worked briefly together on the Fix our Food project. He had an extremely warm character and was clearly an excellent scientist. Such a loss at such a young age.

Steve: Thank you for your generosity of thought and your interest and grace in supporting change in all kinds of ways. I feel lucky to have crossed paths with you. Travel well. You will be missed.

Steve was a great colleague to work with. Scientifically knowledgeable, original thinker, great with people. It was a privilege to persuade him to join the group in Bradford and then to move to Sheffield and build it into something great together. Very sorry to hear about his premature death.

I joined the SRI team just over a year ago, and was immediately struck by how welcoming Steve was and easy to talk to. He seemed to know everyone, and was very busy but always took the time to talk, say thanks for work I had done, and offer advice and guidance. He will be missed.

Steve brought boundless enthusiasm and positivity to every situation - he was so supportive of his colleagues and always shone a light on our efforts and achievements. He had my back, since I was a PhD student. His advice and mentorship have been invaluable. What a truly great guy.

I only worked with Steve briefly but he struck me as a kind, committed, and hard working individual, dedicated to the benefit his wider community and to making contributions to the world around him. This is what all academics should aspire to be, and will be missed across the university and wider community.

Steve was one of the guys who would always stop and talk, and you always left feeling more positive and enthused about whatever you were doing.

I met him only briefly as a presenter at a conference I attended, but was struck by how warm and passionate he seemed. He was a very inspirational man, and my thoughts are with his friends and family.

Steve is a passionate scientist and will be sadly missed by colleagues, friends and family members.

Steve was a truly brilliant scientist, inspirational leader & above all a wonderful person. From tales of his US Midwest roots, to driving forward our understanding of soils locally (he truly loved Yorkshire in all its beauty & food production) and globally, to supporting and empowering others across continents, his love of the land and all it supports was clear to all. I will always remember our chats guiding the work at the University of Leeds Farm, in establishing the Global Food & Environment Institute and in making a huge success of partnerships in both China and Africa. We will continue to strive for the sustainable food futures to which his work so richly enabled. As Aldo Leopold so wisely guided - "we shall never achieve harmony with the land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve but to strive."

I am deeply saddened by this news. I had the pleasure of working with Steve on a number of occasions - such a thoughtful, insights and caring person - a great academic - and also such great company. My thoughts are with his family at such a difficult time.

this comes as quite a shock. i enjoyed working and socialising with steve over recent decades. great company and a colleague who possessed a breadth of knowledge and insight that contributed to so many initiatives and advances. he will be sorely missed. i like others will spend some time looking back at the many interactions. i will raise a glass to his memory, my thoughts are with his family

Every time I interacted with Steve I was struck by how enthusiastic and passionate he was and how generous he was at supporting earlier career colleagues and collaborative ideas. Such sad news to hear of his passing and my deepest condolences to all his family and friends. The world and Leeds University have lost one of the best far too early. Rest in peace Steve.

This news have been very hard to take. I have been working with Steve closely for the last year and a half as part of the Global Food and Environment Institute at Leeds. He was always incredibly enthusiastic and what I'd recall most was the way he always tried to support and champion people. He had a habit to start meetings by doing a go around sharing recent good news or things that we were proud of, which was such a great way to start a meeting! At any opportunity he would comment on colleagues' strengths and thank for their contributions. He made everyone feel that they had something important to share. Personally, he has made an important impact in my career. He was very supportive of my work, even if so far from his own discipline, and gave me lots of space and trust to develop. Thanks very much Steve, I am just so sorry that I did not have enough time to learn more about you, your work and your personal life. Sending very heartfelt condolences to your family.

Steve acted as external examiner between for the Geochemistry MSc's during my time leading these programmes. He was always extremely constructive and supportive, giving praise freely where he thought it was due and offering a wealth of practical suggestions for improvements – he made a huge difference. Once he joined Leeds, he also played a similar but informal role in supporting me in the ESSI leadership position. A genuine, lovely person to be around. He will be really missed.

Rest in peace Steven, a warm person and a great academic, who despite the hurdles of modern academia, enjoyed what he was doing and was inspiring others to do the same.... I am still in shock, we had a scheduled meeting for today the 10th...My sincere condolences for the family

I am writing to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Professor Steve Banwart. As the lead supervisor of my PhD study, he is of great significance to me. This sudden news shocked and saddened me so much, he was such a nice person. I first encountered Professor Steve at the end of 2019, and his sincere, swift, and enthusiastic response to my application emails has always left an indelible mark on me. His academic wisdom and unwavering support made me choose the University of Leeds as my academic home and become his student without hesitation. Over the past four years, Professor Steve guided me with an encouraging hand, allowing me to build up my confidence and passion for research. He dedicated himself to my doctoral journey, offering sincere assistance and invaluable guidance. Although our face-to-face interactions were limited due to his busy schedule, Professor Steve’s influence on me has long transcended the number of times we met. To me, he was not only an academic mentor but also a revered elder whom I deeply respected. Professor Steve also mentioned his family many times during our regular meetings. It was evident that he cherished his role as a husband and father, and his face would light up with joy whenever he shared stories about his family. This genuine love for his family is one of the reasons I hold him in such high regard. From him, I learned the warmth of humanity beyond academic knowledge. I am Chinese and there is an old saying in China, "A day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father". Professor Steve will forever hold a place in my heart as a beloved teacher and a figure I respect like a father. Please pass on my thoughts to Professor Steve’s family. I understand that this is an immensely challenging time, and my thoughts are with you. My heartfelt condolences once again.

Steve was a lovely colleague, a great academic and supervisor. He was highly appreciated by the colleagues and students. Steve was very passionate about supervising students, and no matter how busy he was, he always made sure that he met the students to discuss their dissertation projects. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family.

Steven arrived at Leeds just shortly after me. We never formally collaborated - but even so, every interaction I had with him left me more motivated about science and generally happier than I was before. He was a visionary scientist and a lovely person.

The world would be a better place if everyone was a bit more Steve. Sending deepest condolences to the family and sorry you never got to show me your secrets of barbecue. Rest in peace, a true inspiration.

I met Steve once in summer, 2023. He was visiting Nanjing University and working on the dual-phd program between the two uni. I was admitted to the program and was about to leave Nanjing to Leeds and start the new study life by that time, having many confusions and worries about the uncertainty. Steve was very kind and warm-hearted, he answered all my stupid questions and encouraged me a lot. Also even during the dinner, he thought about how to deepen the corporation between the two universities, and between UoL and other outstanding universities in China. I want to thank Steve's hard work for building corporation between University of Leeds and Nanjing University. It is his effort that makes the program runs well, so that we can have this chance to be here in UoL. Thank you Steve, for your support and encouragement, and for your hard work. Your impact on my life will be a lasting memory.

Although Steve was an excellent academic, I will remember him first and foremost as a fantastic human being. He will be greatly missed around our institute, school and faculty.

Steve and I are new colleagues, and I was enjoying getting to know him and very much looking forward to working with him (we both have the same nickname from back home--Barney). Even those of us who have known him a short time know him to be a remarkable person, and that has been so fully confirmed by the stories on this page. I am so sorry for the loss that those of you in his family feel, and I can easily imagine the emptiness that Steve's long time colleagues feel as well. I wish you all peace-- Jeff Grabill

Over last five years or so I have regularly interacted with Steve. The last we spoke was just before Christmas to schedule a catch-up this week. I am shocked and heartbroken to hear about his loss. He was a good leader, quite passionate about research and one of the most supportive persons I have met at Leeds. He will be dearly missed. May God bless him with peace and prosperity and grant his family with patience to bear his loss.

This is just too sad. My deepest condolences go to Barney’s family. He was a wonderful person. Barney was my PhD supervisor. I probably didn’t give him a very easy time, as I kept interrupting my studies to have babies, but all he showed was great patience. He was a great supervisor- supportive and wise. He set me on the path to where I am now and I’m grateful to have known him.

Barney was a colleague in Geography at Sheffield in 2015-16 before he moved to Leeds. He also led the University of Sheffield's contribution to the N8 agri-food programme. He was an inspirational researcher who laid the foundations for the kind of interdisciplinary work we are now doing in the Institute for Sustainable Food. He was highly collegial and provided superb leadership. We will miss him dearly and send our condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.

After I met Barney my first day in Dübendorf, he became not only a close companion for sharing adventures and support, but a foundational influence for learning how to live life well. He was like no one else I have met before or since, and I have continued to think of him often since our days together at EAWAG. I owe him for so many amazing memories, countless overnight train rides to exotic people and places, steady support learning to live abroad, and most of all for making everyday life feel more magical as we shared the struggles, reactions, and joys of being in another culture as well as dreams of what could come after. Good-bye old friend, I already missed our days together in Dübendorf for a long time, and now I will also miss the opportunities for reconnecting that I was hoping we might create later in life. It was awesome to know you and I’m grateful for our time together.

Steve will always be in my thoughts. He was an amazing, inspirational, supportive person with the most positive energy! He was my dissertation supervisor at university. I’m 100% positive that he is spreading joy and positivity in spirit too.

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn about Steve's passing. His warm smile made him easy to approach. I always felt comfortable having a chat with him at our FSNet-Africa engagements. The brief conversations we shared always left me encouraged and inspired. My heartfelt thoughts go to his family and friends.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Steve's passing. He chaired my Transfer Viva, and his constructive feedback continues to guide my thoughts to this day. Steve was the first person to welcome me to SRI University of Leeds on LinkedIn, and over time, I followed his work and updates on the Global Food and Environment Institute's social media pages. I had hoped to build on my relationship with him in 2024. Unfortunately, the news of his death broke before I could do so. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Steve, you will be missed. Rest in peace.

I first met Professor Steve Banwart in 2010 when I was a NERC research fellow at the University of Sheffield, and he served as the director of the Kroto Research Institute. Even then, Steve stood out for his kindness and generosity towards his colleagues. I distinctly recall the publication of an article on soils in Nature, where Steve was the invited solo author, showcasing his expertise and dedication to his field. Our paths crossed once again when I moved to the University of Leeds, and Steve became my colleague. We collaborated on various projects and even had the privilege of jointly supervising a PhD student. Throughout these interactions, Steve emerged as more than just a colleague; he became a mentor to me. Steve's guidance, support, and profound commitment to advancing research have left an indelible mark on me. His legacy will undoubtedly endure in the hearts and minds of all those fortunate enough to have known and worked with him. May he rest in peace.

I had the privilege of working in the next office to Steve for many years. He was always interested in other people, keen to support colleagues, and make time for them. He combined an immense intellectual talent with a kind and generous personality. I will miss him, and his friendly knocks on my office door.

Steve and I worked on very different topics, but I remember his infectious enthusiasm for science and for making Leeds and the world a better place for others. He was always brimming with ideas and brightened up the rooms we shared. My sincere condolences to Steve's loved ones, he really was a great guy.

I worked with Steve as an Associate Director of the Global Food and Environment Institute he set up at Leeds University. I will always remember the joy in his work, his positivity, and the tremendous energy he brought to everything he did. He was so supportive of my own work and found time to help me achieve things in my career I never thought were possible. I remember most how kind he was and that he could always make me laugh even during the trickiest work meetings. I always left our meetings with a smile on my face and the enthusiasm to deal with the challenging work ahead. He was that very rare thing- a truly great academic. I am sending my thoughts to his family at this very sad time.

In the echo of your laughter, in the legacy you've sown, In the excellence you shared, and the kindness shown, You live, you breathe, in spaces between, Forever a part of life's unending scene. I have had the honour to work with Steven for last 2 years and will take forward his warm, considered and thoughtful approach to work and life.

Prof. Steve, my supervisor at the University of Leeds, left an indelible mark during our brief time together. His unexpected passing has left me deeply saddened, and it's still hard to accept the fact that he is no longer with us. I'm truly thankful for the chance and help he gave me to study at UoL, broadening my perspectives. He was exceptionally warm-hearted, approachable, and diligent, always making time to provide thoughtful guidance to his students, despite his busy agenda. I'm committed to finishing my UoL research to the high standards he set, unwavering in meeting his expectations. Rest in peace, Prof. Steve. I wish to express my deepest condolences to his family and all who knew and admired him.

Thank you for being such a supportive and inspiring colleague. It has been a privilege and a pleasure sharing time with you, exchanging research ideas and getting excited about projects and plans (and also ranting a little bit together, too!). I always knew I could come to you for help and advice. I am proud to have a research paper with my name next to yours, to share a tiny part of your huge legacy. You are sorely missed.

I was in shock as I learned of Steve's passing and my heart grieves for Jane, daughters, and family. He was one of a kind and his Midwestern roots and values never left him - he impacted everyone he met. While working for IBM in Stockholm with Jane, it was no coincidence Jane met Steve while he was visiting from Switzerland. Hanging out with the Brits and talking incessantly of Monty Python skits, I knew they would hit it off. They were truly soul mates. Steve's spirit, love of life, humor will live on in his children and those he knew. Gone to soon, Godspeed Steve until we meet again.

Steven was the supervisor of my final year undergrad dissertation. I was so excited when I learnt about that because I've heard he is such a friendly nice professor who specialises in agriculture. And no doubt, I've witnessed how his experiences and commitment have made him a great living resource of my favourite subject of regenerative agriculture. I'm so grateful Steve has guided and inspired me so much on what topic to do (he shared with me his experiences and many useful papers) what to research. Without him, I wouldn't even know how to think about my study area and what resources to look for. I can tell he's very passionate and committed to what he's been researching and I dream to become a person like him one day. Whenever I feel like giving up, I still think about how I should learn from him and hold on to what I'm doing. I still couldn't believe what I have been informed and I'm absolutely upset that I've just known Steve for just a very short timeband you wouldn't be able to see my final product. I am truly thankful you appeared in my final year when I needed help the most. I promise I will work hard to nail this dissertation as if you will mark it strictly and continue to dedicate my career to sustainable and regenerative agriculture, just like what you have been doing. May you rest in ultimate peace, and may peace be with your friends and family. 🙏🕯️❤️

What a lovely colleague Steve was and such a shock to lose him so suddenly. Always warm and friendly, always making time for others, and always rocking those fabulous Hawaiian shirts! A huge loss to Leeds and around the world. My heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.

Steve was a colleague, mentor and friend. I am going to miss him terribly. I really respected the passion that Steve had for sustainable agriculture; the vision that he had for international partnerships and interdisciplinary research; the time, support and opportunities that he unfailingly gave to junior colleagues; and the positivity and smile that he brought to every situation. I will cherish the car journey that I shared with Steve, just a few weeks ago. We chatted about our careers, ambitions and values and Steve was so generous in his encouragement towards me. I consider it a real gift to have spent that time with him, not realising that it would be the last conversation that we would have. Rest in Peace, Steve.

Steve was an inspiration to me and many other colleagues, as the thoughts shared here show. I loved how he was always full of new ideas and was open to collaborate with people across disciplines, countries and career stages to stimulate change and transform the food system for the better through research and education. I have just looked through my notes from our last coffee & catch up at the end of October. It was as if he was downloading to me every contact or idea that might be helpful in generating more impactful education partnerships. Sharing and enthusing is what he did in spades. We will all miss him.

Steven was my next door office neighbour for many years, more lately sharing the office with our head of school. I had many lovely chats with Steven, both about the research interests of ours and working in the UK - Steven being American and me a Finn trained in the US before starting my career here left us sharing a viewpoint. I am really sorry that I will not be able to have those conversations anymore, and fully understand that the loss to his closest is so much bigger. Rest in peace Steven, we all would have needed you for much longer.

It was always such a joy working with Steve - his ready smile and kind and fun personality shone out. He was a great scientist too! I thoroughly enjoyed trips to China with Steve and marvelled at his unstinting enthusiasm. He will be missed by many - a life cut short too soon.

Steve was one of those rare colleagues who I truly respected for who he was as a person, over and above who he was as an academic. Always the first to say hello, with a warm welcome for everyone, I'm not even sure he realised how much we all looked forward to chatting with him. He will be sorely missed.

It’s such a devastating shock to hear that Steve is no longer with us. I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with him, and to have recently spent time with him on a work trip in China, where his passion, kindness and support was unwavering. He truly was one of a kind and his loss will clearly be felt so deeply by all of his family, friends and colleagues around the world. His huge contribution to his field and the University will never be forgotten. Sending deepest condolences to his family at this impossible time.

Reading the comments here just confirms my thoughts of Steve, a lovely man who was warm, welcoming and a great advocate for me in my role as Entrepreneur in Residence at GFEI Leeds. We had so many great chats over the last 3 years and I will miss those and him and his future input. My sincere condolences to his family and whilst it may not help now please know that he was widely loved and respected for the man he was as well as his distinguished career.

Steve truly cared about African Scientists and wanted to make a difference and help build capacity and excellance. You did Steve and we will never forget. Thank you for sharing your life, passion and energy with us. We will truly miss you. Rest in peace forever.

Steve...............was like a brother to me growing up...................he was 5 days younger than me..........We did alot of camping together..............I have very many good memories of us together.................Prayers to Jane and the girls We do not always understand God's timetable.................should be a wake all to all of us that all of our days are numbered

Really so sad to hear that we have lost this fabulous person. Steve was an all round lovely man, and was a real role model for what a good academic should be. He was generous with his time, friendly to all, and always ready to talk to others about their research and teaching. He will be sorely missed by us at Leeds. Sending my great sympathies to his family.

Sending my condolences. Steve was very supportive of many early and mid-career researchers, and I consider him a mentor. He will be sorely missed.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Steve. He has been such an incredible colleague over the last 6 or more years. His enthusiasm for the partnership between the Universities of Leeds and Pretoria, and for our Food Systems Network for Africa project in particular, has been incredible. He always made time to provide mentoring and guidance to me, to our fellows, and to the wider FSNet-Africa team. He was always willing to participate in activities and host visits, with so much enthusiasm and positivity. His passion for developing the next generation of researchers and academics knew no bounds, and his impact and influence will be felt both here in the UK and across the world. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jane and the girls during this difficult time. Draw strength from family and friends.

I was saddened to hear the passing of Steve. We worked on the CZO projects. Whenever we met on the project meetings or attended the meetings online, he was always cheerful and made constructive comments. My thoughts are with the Steve's family.

Steve was a really wonderful person, always full of energy, life and Ideas, a great motivator for many people. It was a lot of fun to work and interact with him. He will be dearly missed. My most sincere condolences to the family in this difficult time.

I've grieved ever since I learned of Steve's passing. I intend to write more but for now I will share the following news that I know Steve would be very happy to have learned - his friend and colleague, Ashlee Dere, gave birth to their 2nd daughter, Margot, at 9:23 PM on January 4. Some light in the darkness.

I was so sad to learn of the premature death of my former colleague Steve Banwart, who was not only an excellent academic and visionary scientist but a fine human being. We worked together a decade or so ago to establish the first cross faculty agrifood research programme at the University of Sheffield. Steve’s pleasant and relaxed demeanour, his friendliness and sense of humour helped bring people together, contributing enormously to the success of the project, and making this one of the most enjoyable and rewarding periods of my career. His contributions to the field are immense and long lasting – he will be greatly missed.

Sending my deepest condolences. Although he was a senior researcher and academic leader, I noticed how supportive Steve was of the ideas and activities of others across disciplines. A real convener, who could appreciate and affirm the visions of others. Steve will be sorely missed at UoL.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Steve's sudden, untimely death. I knew of Steve for several years, but only got to meet him in 2023, when he invited me to join the GFEI external advisory group, which I was delighted to do. Steve was gentle, thoughtful and hugely knowledgeable - and will be greatly missed. He leaves a lasting legacy. Deepest condolences to all Steve's family and friends

To Jane, Lily, Amy, Rose, Stanley, Mother Ada and the rest of the family, A scholar and a gentleman. The years have swiftly passed since I first met Barney at Fylingdales. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again may god keep you in the palm of your hand. Love Elizabeth X x x

I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Barney and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. He was an inspirational mentor for me during my PhD and academic career, a good friend and an all-round nice guy. I remember him beaming when, after learning that I was into rock music, he described the great fun he was having attending TRASH gigs with his daughter, in venues where his head brushed against the ceiling. Rest in peace Barney.

I still can't believe that Steve is no longer with us! I don't really know how to put into words what an amazing colleague he was. Steve was one of the kindest and most generous people I know. He was possibly the last colleague I spoke to before going on break for the festive season, and little did I know that would be the last conversation we would have. Steve and I worked very closely in 2023 - we cared for the same things, saw the world in very similar ways and often met to discuss ways we could 'put the world to right!' I will miss those conversations, his mentorship and his encouragement at moments when I needed to be brave. Thank you for everything Steve. You were a great role model and big brother to me. May your soul rest in peace, and may Grace hover over your family during this difficult time. You will not be forgotten.

Steve was extremely kind and humble. He was grateful, even for the little things. He never forgot to thank support staff on the FSNet-Africa team. He genuinely cared about young professionals and their development. When we visited Leeds for Summer School in 2022, Steve took time out of his busy schedule to chat to Elizabeth and I about our career plans, among other things. He was supportive of our ideas and encouraged us to keep going. He listened, guided and advised. He was extremely funny and a great team player - The Investigator! He loved Koki Panther and the FSNet-Africa Super Heroes. When he was in South Africa, Steve always enjoyed it when Claire and I danced. He would look at Claire and I as we built up to the dance floor, then he would come and whisper, "I was wondering when you two were going to get started". We laughed, chatted and still worked hard the next day. It is difficult to accept that Steve is gone. I will hold on to your positive nature, your humility and kindness Steve. Rest in Perfect Peace

Steve was kind, thoughtful, generous and a great colleague. He will be very much missed by all of us who worked with him.

Since graduate school at the UIowa, we had 40 years of friendship. It was a pleasure to work with him. Our daughters still call him uncle Barney. Steve will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and love to Jane, Lilly, Rose and Amy. We could not have a better friend.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Steve's passing. Ever since our initial meeting at Penn State University in 2009, I was struck by his outstanding personality and unwavering commitment to science. His relentless endeavors to foster collaboration between the UK and China have yielded significant results. Steve will be greatly missed, and his impact will endure in our memories.

I am so terribly sad about Steve’s passing. This is my favorite memory of him: When I was about 13 years old, he started calling me “Mod” and he said it was because I was such a modern young girl. I was thrilled to have such a special nickname by my wonderful older cousin. And he’s called me that ever since. But Steve had a way of making everyone feel special. He was definitely a bright light in this world. I really wish I could see him just one more time. I’ll miss you, Steve. Love, Mod

Very sad to hear that Steve is no longer with us. Through our interactions on N8 AgriFood, I got to meet Steve regularly and developed a huge respect for his professional and personal contributions - not only a highly intelligent colleague but a warm and insightful friend, supportive of others and passionate about his research. He will be much missed.

Steven was an amazing colleague: caring, driven, visionary and very good at what he did. I had the privilege of getting to know him better during Africa Week in Pretoria, in the spring of 2023. During that week we talked a lot about his work, and his plans to further strengthen the relationship between the University of Leeds and African Universities. But during dinner on one of the evenings we also talked about our families, upbringing and background. I remember clearly how proud Steven was of his own family and his children. He was a kind and loving man and I am sad he is no longer with us.

Steve was a deeply sweet guy with a big heart whose focus as a scientist was more on the impact he could have on the future of the field and its coming generations than on his own career and status (which was truly excellent nonetheless and as a result of his efforts). I will always appreciate that about him.

Steve was often quoting Adolf Leopold, the american ecologist, and encouraging us to "think as a mountain". Steve, you were a mountain! We loved your kindness, your generosity, your patience and the reassuring tone of your talks. The mountain has fallen silent, leaving us with the bleak landscape of a dreary plain. Science will never be the same without you. Sincere thoughts to your family.

Steve was a distinguished scientist in the field of Earth's Critical Zone. He made great contributions to the academic cooperation between the UK and China. I enjoyed working with him and learned a lot from him. I believe that the iconic Dual PhD Program we pioneered to establish will benefit many scholars and contribute to the long-term friendly cooperation all over the world. Steve will be missed.

Steven was a loyal friend and supportive colleague. He contributed to the close friendship between university of Leeds and Nanjing University. He will be remembered by us.

We are so saddened by loss of our cousin Steve (Schrock cousin to Aaron and Banwart cousin to Luann). So thankful we could visit with him at Aunt Ada’s birthday party. We both commented how Steve always made us feel like we were the most important person in the world to him when visiting with him. He was truly a kind person! Our sympathy to Jane and the girls, Lynn and Jon and their families, and Aunt Ada.

So thankful to catch up with Cousin Steve after not seeing him since 1999. We laughed that day we got together at a pub in London that our mothers (who are sisters) would be so delighted that we got together even though we were likely 20 years apart (what we don't do to make our mamas happy). I only later learned that Steve will always remember that day for the pregnancy scare with he and Jane's first born daughter (and his stop to visit me meant he was late arriving to assist his wife). So glad to meet one of the twins and all the love and sympathy to Skopecs and Banwarts.

My family and I were just gutted to hear the news about our cousin Steve. With a wit as sharp as his intellec, Barney was a true original. A great guy gone far too soon. Much sympathy to all of the Banwart family.

I am deeply saddened and shocked by this news. Barney was an exceptional person, with a warm heart and a kind soul. He was a great colleague, a cherished friend and a mentor to me. I hold a vivid and fond memory of Barney that I will treasure forever. May he find eternal peace. With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest condolences to Barney's family during this sorrowful time.

I’m so grateful to have known Barney. He was such a wonderful, down-to-earth, caring man with a great big heart and sense of humour. He will be sorely missed.

You were always full of life. Your loss came to me as a rude shock. Thank you for always giving me that moral when it comes to parenting. You will be missed.

You were always full of life. Your loss came to me as a rude shock. Thank you for always giving me that moral when it comes to parenting. You will be missed.

It’s so hard to write these lines. Steve was a colleague and a friend. It was such a thrill to plan with him the next move of each project we work together. I will miss talking about work and about baseball with him.

So sad to hear of the loss of Dear Barney. Such a lovely kind and gentle man. It was a pleasure to know him. Always so interesting to speak to. Our special meet ups and times with Barney and his very precious family Dear Jane, Lily,Rose and Amy. Wonderful walks,Pub meals in Fylingthorpe and Robin Hood's Bay which I know Barney really enjoyed these places for holidays such special memories. Sending my sincere condolences to all the family. May Barney Rest in Peace. With my love and prayers to you all.❤️🌹

Steve - Our Global Food & Environment Chief and biggest farm advocate; always sharing positive news stories and wholeheartedly celebrating the success of others. You interviewed me for my job at Leeds and have consistently shown me kindness and warmth, and I cannot thank you enough. There are no words to describe the sheer shock and devastation that will be rippling across the continents right now, for you to be taken from us so soon and suddenly. You always lit up when you spoke about your family, I know your heart was bursting with pride for your girls, and my heart breaks for them now - My deepest condolences to you all. May you rest in peace in a socially-just, climate-friendly world that you so dynamically envisioned, supported and indefatigably helped to build x

A total shock and unmeasurable loss! We were travelling together in November visiting International partners! It has been such honour and good fun to work with Steve in the past few years. He was one of the kindest and most passionate colleagues I have ever had. He will be terribly missed by colleagues and friends all over the world. Deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Steve.

The loss to the University and to the profession is enormous, the drive and dedication to an agenda of global equity and inclusion and to making the world better. However, the loss to Steve’s family is of course simply incalculable, my deepest condolences.

It was a great privilege to work with Steve. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was kind, generous, gentle, compassionate and gracious. His friends and colleagues across the world will miss him dearly. My deepest condolences to his family.

Though I only knew Steve for a few months, I felt touched by his humanity. He leaves an insurmountable gap in the projects that we were working on, but more importantly, his kindness, humour, and gentle leadership will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to Steve's family.

From the first time we met, through shared research interests, Steve was the most open, generous, enthusiastic and passionate colleague. He was huge fun to be with, in equal measure. I will treasure time spent with Steve, our conversations on research, family, childhood experience and much more. My heart goes out to Steve’s family. though we have not met, it was clear how much he loved you and how proud he was of your accomplishments. Wishing you comfort and sending my deepest condolences.

I met Steve before I came to Leeds whilst he was still at Sheffield and I was at York in my very first research support job. How people treat those at the bottom of the ladder is, I think, a strong indication of who they are as a person. Steve was universally kind, thankful, helpful and made sure I felt included and valued even though he had no responsibility to do so. Over the years at Leeds he confirmed again and again that first impression. He'll be very much missed.

Terribly sad news. Lots of fun working with Steve through WUN and then later here at Leeds. His enthusiasm for global research knew no bounds. He will be sorely missed as a friend and a colleague.

A gentle soul - rest in peace, Prof

Steve was such an important part of many aspects of campus life and for me stood out in his friendly, open and efficient manner. Any chance I got to chat with him always very welcome indeed. I, and many others, will miss him deeply.

A perfect gentleman - will be sorely missed by colleagues in South Africa.

A Tribute to Prof. Steven Banwart As we come together in remembrance of Prof. Steven Banwart, we reflect not only on the loss of a great mind but also on the legacy he leaves behind. Steven was more than a leader in the scientific community; he was a mentor, a visionary, and a cherished colleague. His most recent endeavor, a proposal for Wellcome Trust funding, was a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing our understanding of protein challenges. His brilliance shone through in every aspect of this project, set to be submitted this March. His ability to conceptualize and execute such complex research was unparalleled, and his enthusiasm for this work was contagious. Steven's passing leaves a void not only in our hearts but also in the project he so passionately spearheaded. However, in honoring his memory, we commit to continuing this journey. We pledge to carry forward the proposal with the same dedication and excellence that Steven exemplified. In every discovery we make and in every milestone we achieve, Steven's spirit will be with us, guiding and inspiring. His loss is not just a personal sorrow but a call to uphold his legacy of scientific inquiry and innovation. As we bid farewell to Steven, let us remember him for the path he paved in scientific research and for the profound impact he had on each of us. May his memory be a beacon that guides us towards a future where his dreams and ours are realized. Rest in peace, Prof. Steven Banwart. Your legacy will continue through our work and in the hearts of all who knew you. Beatrice

A huge shock and loss, I will miss Steve immensely I always enjoyed the time we spent together wether here in the UK or in China. My thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

Barney , you will Always be remembered for your laugh , sense of humor and creativity! Thank you for the great memories in our high school years !!! Never to be forgotten! ❤️❤️You were a wonderful friend!

simply a gem of a human we are all so lucky to have crossed paths with. he was so warm and ever so kind - he was THE dad of our high school gang and the coolest guy around. he never made you feel like a burden, even when you have to ask for lifts home every time you go round for tea! a truly special guy of whom i will always hold fond memories. sending so much love and so many hugs to the whole of the banwart family x

Thank you Barney for being the coolest dad of our school friendship group, for the lifts to and from so many gigs, and for introducing me to biscuits and gravy (even though I ate them with jam because I thought they were scones…). You will be missed.

Always fun and interesting to chat with Barney when transporting Lily or Ciara between our respective houses. Condolences to a warm, hospitable, lovely family with broken hearts. Sending love and prayers of comfort in your sadness. 💙💙💙 Paul, Debra, Eoghan and Ciara (Grant)

Thank you Barney and all the Banwarts for being so welcoming and always hosting the best get-togethers at your house! I will always hold fond memories chatting to you and spending time in your home. A wonderful, kind man and wonderful family ❤️

even though it was many years ago, thank you for welcoming me into your home and letting me stay and spend time with lily ‪♡‬

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Prof Steven. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.