I am very shocked.
Edgar supported our International Training Programme at the GBF (now HZI) for many years. We ran intensive 6-7 week training programmes for biotechnologists from developing countries from 1987 - 2000. It was exciting to run these and they were described by Paul Greenfield from Australia as the "finishing school for Biotechnologists". For many participants they were a key experience in their career development.
Edgar was on the Board of Advisors and unflinchingly did all he could to help us in our work. Given the scepticism about development aid to developing countries, this can now be seen to be exceptional.
I was in touch with him in September this year since my husband and I were coming to Paris. My husband remembered that Edgar was very keen on a large umbrella and we had not been able to give one to him previously - it was too long to fit into the suitcase.
We intended to present him with a large blue umbrella and to meet in Paris at the end of September 2007 on his return from South Africa. In the event he was not feeling well enough but we had in mind to meet again this month. It seems incredible that he is no longer there. He was such a great institution - such a big heart - a great appetite for work, and was very good at formulating in english. I can remember vividly how this made documentation with him a pleasure. And this combined with his wonderful sense of humour. He was nevertheless a modest man - putting on airs and graces would have been alien to him.
The fact that he co-authored a book in his retirement of such breadth and with such skill shows how very wide awake he was. I shall miss him.
I should be grateful if you could let me have any information about him which might appear.
with best regards
jeannie S
Edgar was remarkable in talent, energy, wisdom and accomplishment, honest to the core. For all that he portrayed, deep down he was an extremely 'family' person who was exquisitely sensitive and moved to tears at the slightest mishap to any of his near and dear family and friends.
'He shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not wither him, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember him.'
Lexley
From: Vasil,Indra K
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 9:46 AM
To: 'una fernandez'
Subject: RE: Sad demise of Dr. Edgar J Da Silva
Dear Una:
I am shocked beyond reason to learn of dear Edgar's passing
away. My wife Vimla and I had just seen him in Paris at the beginning
of September, just before he left for Africa. He was the happiest we
had ever seen him. He talked non-stop, like a teenager who was in love
for the first time, about Shilpa Mehta and his plans for the future. He
showed us her photographs and their emerging plans. He talked proudly about the accomplishments of his family. He was in great spirits and good health. We had hearty laughs. We saw him several times, went walking together in the Bastille area and as always shared drinks and a great meal. Those happy memories will live me for the rest of my life.
Edgar and I were like brothers, although he insisted on
considering me his older brother. He was of enormous help to me while I was Chairman of UNESCO's Biotechnology Action Council. We saw each other several times a year, and I enjoyed our long walks, leisurely cocktails and wonderful meals. He was the most knowledgeable, competent, loyal and helpful person I knew at UNESCO. During his long tenure at UNESCO he had helped thousands of scientists all over the world, and I can assure you that he will be sorely and sadly missed by all.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences at your loss. We share
your grief, but take some consolation in knowing that Edgar lived a full
life, helped countless scientists, and was loved and respected by all.
It is fortunate that he did not suffer. I was in Paris when he suffered
a heart attack several years ago. I know that he took good care of
himself. But it never slowed him down. He was more active in
retirement than most of his contemporaries were during their active
service years. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known him and to call him a friend. Our visits to Paris will not be the same any more without him. His passing is very personal and devastating for me.
Indra Vasil
**************************************
Indra K. Vasil
Associate Director, Genetics Institute
Graduate Research Professor Emeritus
University of Florida
I loved his sense of humour. And often think back about his life - having grown up with him, as his sister, I know how hard he worked to make his dreams come true.
He was like quicksilver - always on his toes, I dont think I know anyone who walked as fast as he did or who saw so many places as he did. In fact, he never stood still - he was always on the move.
Love,
Una (eldest sister)
From: Jacques RICHARDSON
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 1:19 PM
To: Hoareau, Lucy
Cc: Archibald, Gail
Subject: Dr Edgar DaSilva
Dear Lucy,
Thank you, so much, for contacting me. I am nonplussed at the news of Edgar's death, and wish to convey my deep sympathy to you, his family, and all the colleagues who have worked with Edgar over the years.
*
Edgar is responsible not only for having created the Unesco-sponsored centres of microbiology dispersed throughout the world--and following through so that these research centres became fully operational and productive. He was also devoted to the building of valid scientific resources accessible to young scientific investigators throughout the developing regions, meaning the poor world.
Edgar contributed steadily, furthermore, to the literature of scientific research during the decades that he was affiliated with the United Nations system. He wrote for journals such as 'Impact of Science on Society' and reviews specifically concerned with the world of microbiology and the expanding biotechnologies; he continued to publish articles well into his life of "retirement".
Edgar was in every way dedicated to his professional mission and, even after retirement from Unesco, continued to respond to demand for his lectures in Japan, the Republic of South Africa, North America, the Nordic countries, and elsewhere.
I recall the observation made about Edgar by Federico Mayor, a biochemist and former director-general of Unesco who was extremely familiar with Edgar's formidable professional reach: "DaSilva is a real scientist, and we are fortunate to have him on our team".
I knew Edgar well for more than forty years, and Indian to the core, and shall miss his unending jokes and ready smile.
Jacques Richardson
