Dear Editor,
Very early yesterday morning news of the passing of Dr. Roger Luncheon filtered out from his family. He passed away at about four in the morning of August 2nd, 2023.
Roger Luncheon was one of the most well-known Guyanese. He lived a life of public service to the people of Guyana. His service was of a very high quality, and he served in many varied capacities.
Roger had a deep feeling of revulsion to exploitation and oppression of any people. He was willing to throw himself into the struggle wherever he found such conditions existing.
He was born at a time when the People’s Progressive Party was being formed and there was an awakening of the Guyanese people as to the evils of colonialism. This no doubt had an impact on the development of his social consciousness throughout his life.
Roger was a gifted student. He won a scholarship to attend Queen’s College where he excelled at the GCE “O” and “A” levels.
He proceeded to the United States and studied medicine, becoming a consultant.
He returned to Guyana and joined the staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital in the early 1980s.
While there, Dr. Luncheon became one of the most respected doctors at the institution. This was due to the fact that he was an extremely brilliant and gifted doctor. He was sought after by many persons due to his unquestioned skills.
However, he had another feature that was a rarity for doctors in his time and for those who are practicing today. It was a dedication that was as rare as snow in Guyana.
He lived totally off his salary and used to go to work on a bicycle. His only income was from the hospital.
In this period the political and economic situation in Guyana was at its worst. Political oppression was rife. Walter Rodney was assassinated and holding a public meeting attracted thugs from the ruling party, the People’s National Congress, who were specialists in breaking up opposition meetings.
The economy was at the bottom. This was characterized by very high unemployment, and poverty was escalating. A SIMAP study in the 1980s found more than half our population in absolute poverty.
Shortages of food, medicine and other essentials were the order of the day.
It was in this period that Dr. Luncheon joined the struggle for democracy. He was influenced greatly by Dr. Cheddi Jagan. That was not surprising since Roger had many of the personal characteristics of Cheddi such as being careful with government funds and trying to get the best as inexpensively as possible and putting a high premium on voluntary work.
His first impact was during the 1985 elections, which was massively rigged. Roger energized people when he took the public platform. He was a powerful and forceful orator.
His situation at the hospital became more difficult having come to the open as a member of the PPP.
Despite that he had a very positive impact on the union, the GPSU and on the hospital staff. Together with Harrinarine Nawbatt he waged a relentless battle to push the union in a progressive direction. He was particularly successful at that.
Roger served in the National Assembly for a short period during the period 1985-1992.
When the PPP won the 1992 elections Dr. Luncheon became the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary of the Cabinet.
While he missed practicing medicine, he felt compelled to serve the public at a higher level. In his new position he had the opportunity of treating many of the afflictions that affected our society.
In those positions he excelled and built up a reputation for handling the press/media. It was a delight to hear his interactions with the press. Not only for the information he provided but his style which was/is inimitable.
Roger had a deep affection for working people, the poor in particular. He met with thousands of persons constantly, many he remembered even when he met them only once.
That ability to walk with kings without losing the common touch he had in great abundance.
He served five presidents of Guyana and did so at a very high level. He had a powerful intellect and a tremendous capacity for hard work.
He loved life and never allowed illness to interfere with his contributions to meetings at very high levels.
Dr. Roger Luncheon will be missed by all those who knew him personally and by the masses of our country who are aware of his total commitment to Public Service.
The best way we can honour his memory is by taking his example and approach to public life. He was incorruptible, dedicated, and loyal to our people and to the PPP.
He will be surely missed and will always be remembered.
Farewell Comrade!
Yours faithfully,
Donald Ramotar
