Professor John Freney's research into the optimal soil conditions for rice production changed lives in south east Asia and was just one of the standouts of a 42-year career with CSIRO that led to his appointment as an officer of the order of Australia.
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But unfortunately Dr Freney didn't live to receive the accolade.
The agricultural scientist died on January 2 aged 86, three-months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma and five months after receiving his second PhD in agricultural science from the University of Melbourne last August at the age of 85.
His wife Norma Freney said Dr Freney had been chuffed to hear someone had nominated him for the gong after recommending his own colleagues in previous years.
"It's a great disappointment to us that he won't be there to receive the honour," she said.
"He was calm and quiet and had a brain as big as all outdoors.
"He was such a quiet achiever but his mind was going all the time about what he could do and how he could help people ... He was a great man."
Dr Freney was appointed to the order for distinguished service to conservation and the environment through research into greenhouse gas production, climate change and the efficient use of nitrogen fertiliser.
Mrs Freney said her husband was most known for his work with CSIRO and had still been passing on his knowledge and helping colleagues instigate scientific experiments right up to his death.
Most recently Dr Freney had been working on research in China - a continuation of his past work in Asia.
"He retired officially back in 1993 but he had still been working and mentoring and looking after PhD students from the agricultural side of the Melbourne University and leading expeditions to different countries including China and Thailand," she said.
"His research was on soil and what helps produce rice because Australia has one of highest rice yields and yet it's not an important aspect for us as it is in other countries."
"It was sterling stuff… it improved the whole quality of living for the people of a whole country."
After starting with CSIRO in Armidale in 1951 through its University of New England faculty, Dr Freney and Mrs Ferney moved to Canberra in 1961
He received his first PhD in 1962.
