Biography

Vladimir Madera 

Distinguished Departed Pioneer

Professional background

Vladimír Madera (1905 – 1997) graduated from the College of Chemical-Technological Engineering (VSCHT) in 1926, while simultaneously studying microbiology.

He began his career at the Prague sewage treatment plant as head of the chemical laboratory and founded one of the first microbiological laboratories for wastewater in Europe. Subsequently, he worked in the Prague magisterial sewage agency, becoming its manager while planning for the new Prague mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plant.

In 1953, he transferred from Prague Technical University to the newly independent VSCHT, becoming the first professor of the Department of Water Technology and was awarded the rank of Doctor of Sciences. He became department head in 1957. In 1962, he was appointed Rector of the Technical University of Applied Sciences where he served until his retirement in 1975.

Professor Madera died in the decade that Dr Petr Grau, his student and professor successor, served as President of IAWQ (1990-1993) with significant influence.

Major Contributions to IWA

Professor Madera was one of the original IAWPR founders in 1965. He served as IAWPR’s first Vice President, alongside IAWPR’s Founding President, Professor Erman Pearson 1965-1968.

In late 1960s, Professor Madera, as Chairman of the Czechoslovak Water Quality and Wastewater Associations, organized the still memorable 4th IAWPR Congress in Prague, scheduled for spring of 1968. A few weeks prior to the opening of the Congress, the Warsaw Pact armies invaded Czechoslovakia. Foreign delegates enroute to Prague were stopped at the border. Thankfully, the Congress could be postponed for a year, and was successfully conducted in the Spring of 1969, before the fall of the Iron Curtain in the Fall of 1989. In spite of Eastern Bloc travel restrictions, Professor Madera was able to remain actively engaged in IAWPR over his career.

Authors: Vladimir Novotny, USA and Jiri Wanner, Czech Republic