from the field of palaeontology. He was one of the world's 
leading experts on rudists. He discovered and described 
106 species of rudists from 64 sites in Slovenia. Among 
them, new genera and 11 new species, which have be-
come important for the entire Mediterranean area.
His scientific work include over 100 original discus-
sions (papers, monographies, reports, book chapters) 
within almost 250 bibliographical units. He (co)authored 
profound works on stratigraphy of Cretaceous rocks and 
fossils (e.g. Hipurites fauna from Stranice, Upper Creta-
ceous rudists in Slovenia), basic regional studies of Slo-
vene territory (Geology of Cerknica Lake etc.), on oil 
and mineral resources. He was an excellent promotor of 
science, contributing almost 40 popular science texts. He 
also collaborated on monography Geology of Slovenia 
and many encyclopaedic entries on geology. He received 
many awards from geological societies, other scientific 
institutions and state institutions.
Mario Peničar took numerous assignment and 
functions, from leading evaluation on natural resources 
in Slovenia, taking part in editorial work, and many sci-
entific societies, boards and committees. As a long time 
member of Editorial Board of Acta Carsologica between 
he had always supported editorial work and new ideas 
and at the same time contributed his own. Even in his 
last years, when already in decline, his supporting wife 
On October 16th 2016, a member of Editorial Board of 
Acta Carsologica, academician prof. dr. Mario Pleničar 
has passed away. 
Mario Pleničar was born on August 5th 1924 in 
Ljubljana. He completed all his studies in Ljubljana and 
during his doctoral work spent a year in Vienna. After 
graduating, he took position at the Geological Survey 
in Ljubljana, than worked at the petroleum production 
company in Lendava, followed by assignments in Algeria 
from where he returned to Ljubljana. Since 1970, he had 
been a professor at the Ljubljana University. He lectured 
petroleum and physical geology, biostratigraphy of Me-
sozoic, and geological mapping. He continued collabo-
ration with Geological Survey in Ljubljana and several 
other geological and petroleum institutions from Eu-
rope. He collaborated at many international projects.
Throughout his career, Mario covered several dis-
tinct topics in geology. In petroleum geology, his focus 
were oil resources and geology of eastern Slovenia. While 
leading project of Basic geological map of Slovenia, he 
focused to stratigraphy, paleoecology and economic ge-
ology, while still staying active as a field mapper. He pre-
sented detailed studies of Cretaceous beds in Slovenia, 
and located the boundaries between different Cretaceous 
ages. He (co)authored several geological maps and ex-
planatory books. However, his most important works are 
IN MEMORIAM
MARIO PLENIčAR  
(1924-2016)
ACTA CARSOLOGICA 46/2−3, 355–356, POSTOJNA 2017
ACTA CARSOLOGICA 46/2–3 – 2017356
drove him to the meetings in Ljubljana, where he care-
fully followed and contributed to discussions. We have 
always admired his friendliness and supportive attitude. 
In the same manner, he also contributed to the work of 
Karst Research Institute, where he served for years as a 
member of the Scientific Board. 
Academician Pleničar left rich heritage, which will 
serve to future generation of geoscientists. He will be re-
membered as a dedicated researcher, professor, mentor 
and a friend.
Dragica turnšek and franci gabrovšek
IN MEMORIAM