Dr Bernard Nicholas Townsley Leeman

Dr Bernard Nicholas Townsley Leeman Passed away suddenly on 17th August 2018, in Mekelle, Ethiopia, aged 72 years. Late of Queensland (Australia). Formerly of Songea and Ashira (Tanzania), Rye (England), Bad Gestein (Austria) and Mekelle, (Ethiopia). Beloved husband of Trilas. Dearly loved father of Nick. Father-in-law to Ellen, and Tata to Melody. Loving brother of Paddy. Brother in law to Roger. Beloved uncle to Ro and Alan (dec’d). Loving foster father to Helen and Milkana. Lifelong friendship with Helmut (Son Of Heaven) and Bob. Dr Leeman was educated at Worcester Cathedral Kings School (England), School of Oriental & African Studies (London), University of Ile Ife (Nigeria), Bremen University (Germany), and Charles Darwin University (Australia). He worked in Tanzania, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Czech Republic, Eritrea, Sweden, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Morocco, China, UK, Australia (ACU, & USQ), Vanuatu and a Visiting Fellow at Oxford (UK).

 Dr Leeman was a tireless campaigner of human rights, involved in the South African liberation struggle during the apartheid years and campaigned to restore democratic rule in the Kingdom of Lesotho.  He established links with disadvantaged minority Evenk, Chukchi and Ket groups in Siberia.  He was a passionate advocate of low cost affordable education for all, with his latest project in Talua, Vanuatu.  Dr Leeman was a prolific Biblical Scholarship writer with his last research on the Nubian Moses and Black origins of the Bible.  He had a great love of life, loved to sing, travel, learn new languages and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him.