“Product of his labour will live on forever” – Pres. Ali on passing of Dr Roger Luncheon

…as tributes pour in following death of stalwart

Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon, who headed the Presidential Secretariat under previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Governments, a party in which he was a stalwart, has died at the age of 74.
Dr Luncheon, a senior Central and Executive Member of the PPP/C, served as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) for over 21 years – a tenure that spanned the Presidencies of Dr Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Samuel Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.
At the time of his passing, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Wednesday, where he had been hospitalized for an ailment, he was a member of the current PPP/C Cabinet and the party’s Central and Executive Committees.

Legacy
Since his passing, the tributes have poured in. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in expressing his condolences to Dr Luncheon’s family and friends, noted the important role that the party stalwart played in his development. According to President Ali, Luncheon’s legacy is one that will live on forever.
“It is with a deep sense of sadness we receive the news of the passing of one of Guyana’s most outstanding sons, Dr. Roger Luncheon. This exceptional patriot and national icon was fearless and selfless in his complete commitment to national development and defence of a free and democratic Guyana.
“It is a painful and deep-wounded loss for the Government and Party. He offered me unflinching support throughout my political career, both within the PPP and in public life. This man has shaped me in many ways, and placed tremendous trust and confidence in me. Onward, fearless warrior and pure nationalist, your work is done, but the product of your labour will live on forever,” President Ali said.

True commitment
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the PPP, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, described Dr Luncheon as a “true son of the soil”, who has left behind a legacy of true commitment to service in Guyana.

In his message of condolence, Jagdeo hailed Luncheon’s valuable contributions to the party. Those include his immense contributions during the struggle against People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) dictatorship.
“Dr. Luncheon served in many capacities, including as Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary for five Presidents of Guyana. He was a member of the Cabinet and the party’s Central and Executive Committees up until his passing,” Jagdeo has said.
“A true son of the soil who helped to shape the lives of many, Dr. Luncheon left a rich legacy of true commitment to service, patriotism, and a deep sense of national pride and hard work for the people of Guyana. May his soul rest in peace,” Jagdeo said.

Towering intellect
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC., meanwhile noted that with the tragic death of Dr. Luncheon, Guyana has lost a national asset. According to Nandlall, Luncheon was an influential leader who possessed a towering intellect and acclaimed oratory skills.

“This was exemplified at his post-Cabinet press briefings, which became a media staple for decades. His capacity, tenacity, and appetite for selfless public service in successive PPP/C Governments from 1992 to present is simply without compare.
“Intense bouts of illness failed to faze him. He remained a member of our Cabinet to the very end. During his protracted stint in Government, he wielded tremendous political power, but was never overwhelmed by it,” Nandlall said.
The Attorney General further noted that Dr. Luncheon was a mentor and an example to many, and with his mental agility and understanding of complex issues, including law, he learnt much from working with him.
“No doubt, he is gone but has left a rich legacy of sterling contribution. It will be a long time before the void his death has created is filled. A grateful nation mourns the passing of one of its most industrious sons. To his children and other relatives, I offer my sincere condolences,” Nandlall said.

NIS
The National Insurance Scheme (NIS), which Luncheon chaired from 1992 to 2009, also sent out a statement expressing sadness at the passing of their former Chairman. According to NIS, Luncheon’s contributions to the Scheme were extensive.
“Our Scheme has benefitted tremendously from the wisdom and inputs of Dr. Luncheon during his tenure as Chairman of the NIS Board. He was one of Guyana’s true sons of the soil, a brilliant medical doctor, politician and communication specialist.
“The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the National Insurance Scheme would like to extend sincere condolences to the Government and people of Guyana, the family, friends and associates of the late Dr. Luncheon. May his soul rest in peace, and his legacy be cherished,” the message from the NIS stated.

Bipartisan
Bipartisan condolences were also forthcoming from former Alliance For Change (AFC) leader and former Minister of Natural Resources under the former Government, Raphael Trotman. In a missive, Trotman hailed Luncheon’s qualities, which he said he came to appreciate despite their opposing political views.
“In adversarial forms of politics, as Guyana’s is, the acrimony and disdain for, and between, opposing sides is always very palpable. One is simply not expected to admire or revere anyone from the “other side”.
“In the case of Dr. Roger Luncheon, however, one could not escape the obvious reality that he was an enigma who commanded respect. I have had countless close encounters and engagements with Dr. Luncheon, and in all he would remind you that he was no regular “banna” – to use one of his favourite expressions.”
Trotman recalled the bipartisan work done on the Herdmanston Accord of 1998, which saw them meeting for a Caribbean Community (Caricom) brokered process of dialogue. According to Trotman, they came away with a better understanding of each other.
“For three years, a small group, representing the PPP/C and PNCR met quietly in dialogue to discuss a range of issues arising out of the Herdmanston Accord process. It was hard not to get to know each other on a more personal level.”
“Though political views and positions remained unassailable, we all came away with a better appreciation and understanding of each other. Roger Luncheon, in those meetings, never failed to entertain or disappoint,” Trotman said.
Trotman further recalled that, on a personal note, Dr. Luncheon was willing to put politics aside and provide medical assistance to an acquaintance of his that he interceded for, without a hint of “rancour, bitterness or arrogance on his part.”
“It was easy to take the low road and hit his opponents when in distress. In the end, he calmly said, “We will help”. I came away from that meeting with the conviction that though we would be embattled, we must always maintain a sense of humanity. May his soul rest in peace,” Trotman said.

The life of a stalwart
Born on July 17, 1949, Dr. Roger Luncheon was a graduate of Queen’s College, after which he proceeded to study at Howard University in Washington D.C, and became an internal medicine specialist in nephrology.
After serving the Health Ministry as an Internal Medicine Consultant, he became head of the Internal Medicine Department. He worked at the University of Guyana as an Associate Professor of the Medical Practitioners Programme.
A member of the PPP since the early 1980s, Luncheon served as head of the Presidential Secretariat from 1992 to 2015. He also Chaired and served on a number of boards during this time, including the NIS and the Defence Board. He was also Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
Dr Luncheon is the third PPP/C stalwart to have died in a year, following the death of Bibi Shadick in August 2022 and the death of party co-founder and renowned Attorney-at-Law Ashton Chase, OE, SC, last month. (G3)