In Memory of O. N. Kabakov (1928-2009)

摘要

Oleg Nikolaevich Kabakov, a prominent Russian geologist and entomologist, died 26 October, 2009 in St. Petersburg.Oleg Nikolaevich was born on September 11, 1928 in Leningrad, in a workers' family. As a child, he already showed interest in nature. His parents supported their son's enthusiasm and when he was 11, they presented him a children's microscope. Next year,equipped with an entomological net and a hammer, Oleg went to Sablino Village (Leningrad Province) to collect insects, fossil shells, and minerals; his way to entomology and geology started. Subsequently, the common hammer was replaced by a geologist's pick, and the toy microscope, by the polarized and binocular ones. Professionally, Oleg Nikolaevich devoted most of his life to geology, whereas all his free time was given to the study of insects, mainly beetles. He said that if his life had turned out differently and entomology was his profession he would have devoted all his free time to collecting and studying minerals. Oleg Nikolaevich never got higher education; he attained only geology prospecting courses and then, refresher courses. In geology, as in biology, he was self-taught, a kind of nugget, and a lack of systemic education compensated for self-education. Oleg Nikolaevich was a really talented and very enthusiastic person; his world view was based on respect for and love of nature.