17. Obituary: Prof. Isaac George

OBITUARY

Prof. Isaac George: An avid reader of literary books

Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam

A scroll of remembrance:

I am indeed sorry to hear about the demise of Prof. Isaac George (84) on April 19, 2021 in Bangalore. There will be a vacuum in me since I am not able to attend his funeral service. I am indeed happy that I could offer a word of prayer for him while he was in the hospital a few days ago. He also expressed his thanks to me for the book, Rainbow of Remembrances, which I sent to him for reading in his sick bed. I have had a close relationship with him as a friend and a member of the Rajaji Nagar Mar Thoma Church, Bangalore, for the last 25 years. I am also happy that I could draft an order of service, as requested by him for a thanksgiving service when he turned 8o years of age. During the period of my service as Principal-ISET and later as Director at the Ecumenical Christian Center, Whitefield (1995-2006) our friendship began to grow. He used to visit ECC with his family members and attend all the important functions there. As an ecumenist, he was a supporter of Ecumenical concerns till the end. I am also

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indebted to him as he wrote a brief Festschrift article about me under the title, “Dr. M. J. Josephthe priest and the person” in a Vol. published by ECC in 2006. I have seen in him as a professor with amazing reading skills and great appreciation for others. He not only liked the reading material, but also the writer whom he had not meet in person. He is such a rare person for us to thank God.

I would like to make it known that he was an enlightened layman of the Mar Thoma Church who was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. Truly he has left a few foot prints on the sands of time. As a professor of Electrical Engineering at Bangalore University, he was well known as a teacher with pedagogical skills. His speeches and sermons on various occasions bear witness to his vast fund of knowledge and wide range of experience. His leadership in the Senior Citizens’ Fellowship of the Mar Thoma Church, Bangalore was indeed remarkable. As one who believed that knowledge is power, he had been hunting for good speakers in Bangalore and elsewhere. What matter in life is not being applauded when you arrive, but being missed when you leave forever “Life levels all men; death reveals the eminent” (Bernad Shaw). His faith in the God of all grace is indeed worthy of praise.

Needless to say, Prof. Isaac George and his dear wife Prof. Mariam George played a significant role in the establishment of the Rajaji Nagar Mar Thoma Church. I have had the first-hand information about their leadership role there. He and his beloved wife were good hosts to all the visitors there including the bishops of the Church. The Church and the public will certainly remember him with gratitude to God. Let us live to die and die to live. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. “Blessed indeed, says the Spirit . . . that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Rev.14:13).

Prof. Isaac George is survived by his wife and two daughters. Let me conclude this brief obituary tribute, quoting a few lines from the book of Ecclesiastics chapter 44: “. . . and their name lives to all generations. Peoples will declare their wisdom and the congregation proclaims their praise” (vs.14-15).