PETER NDUMBE

Dear Prof,
there are no words for me to say how great a man, a dean and a mentor you've been for me. You'll always have my eternal gratitude. We'll always keep the flame burning. Rest in perfect peace.

A good man never dies
In worthy deed and prayer
And helpful hands, and honest eyes,
If smiles or tears be there:
Who lives for you and me
Lives for the world he tries
To help--he lives eternally.
A good man never dies.

Who lives to bravely take
His share of toil and stress,
And, for his weaker fellows' sake,
Makes every burden less,
He may, at last, seem worn
Lie fallen--hands and eyes
Folded--yet, though we mourn and mourn,
A good man never dies. 

James Whitcomb Riley

                 Tribute to Peter Martins  Ndumbe, MD. M.Sc;PhD;FCAS

I have known Professor Peter Ndumbe for more than 40 years during which our paths crossed as  fellow students at the Cameroon Protestant college in Bali, as researchers in the CUSS/TDR Laboratories,  where I co-supervised his MD thesis , and later on in the top administration of the University of Buea when he was Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and I, Vice-Chancellor. Throughout these years I came to know Professor Ndumbe as a multi-dimensional  personality with exceptional abilities, a prolific and highly productive researcher, an outstanding academic and pedagogue, an international crusader  against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases of the poor, and above all a compassionate physician.

He will be remembered  among other things for devising a simple skin test for human onchocerciasis  described in his MD thesis that was ranked best in his class, and as the founding director of the Centre for the Study and Control of Communicable diseases at the University of Yaounde I, which he built with research grants he had won from abroad. As the Dean in Yaounde and Buea, he set high standards for the training of medical doctors and raised  the faculties he led  to international standards.

Professor Peter Ndumbe’s demise is coming too soon, when he was at the apex of his career. He will be missed sorely for his sharp wit and sense of humour. I will miss him as a friend, a brother and a comrade –in-arms against the scourges that have plagued us for so long.

Our deepest condolences go especially to his father, Chief Kepe, Mama Fanny, Fese and Seth.

Professor Vincent P.K.Titanji,FCAS;FTWAS

Biologist-Biochemist

I am told by my parents that you held me in your arms for baptism in P.C.C Bastos when I was just three months old. I remember my confirmation day and all the other fun times we had when I was older. I remember the two months I spent with you in Limbe during my internship; I remember, I remember the good times. At those times you were there to support me as a Godfather would.  I will cherish those moments for a long time. You were not only a God father to me but also an uncle and mentor. You gave me several lessons about life advising me on the best options to take in order to succeed. Those advices have helped me and I will remain forever grateful.

Your demise took me by surprise and has given me a lot of grief. I remember our last conversations so vividly. I will try to overcome all the hurdles of life and promise not to let you down.  Life is one big stage and we are all but actors. You have finished your act and scene and left the stage for others to take their turn. Thank you for being a good Godfather. May the good Lord receive you.

Adieu,

Your Godson

Legima Nulla Titanji.

I can hardly believe that I am writing a tribute to you ‘Uncle Phil’ as our children fondly called you and I soon joined in. They are all big now but remember the good times they had with you; the films you brought home, the Sunday afternoon rides you gave them around Yaounde; to Kalafatas for cookies then to your house and they would talk about it for the next week. They remember and they mourn you Peter.
You missed Ba’s Laudation and Thanksgiving because you were ill. I can imagine how you would have liked to be there. Yes, life can really be so brutal and as human beings, we hardly ever imagine when and how it is going to happen. You have been a friend to my family for as long as I have known my husband. You have been with us in Bali especially when my father-in-law died. You kept so close to us and comforted my husband for the big loss; you were the only one who made an album for us then. We appreciated it very much and have looked at some of the scenes you captured then together. We all laughed over some of them that had people who had drunk themselves to stupors. How could you go so soon, Peter?
You said you were going to give us a surprise whenever I asked you to settle down. Is this the surprise? Then it is a really bad one because Mama Fanny and Papa are kind of stranded in your compound. Thank God that Jackson, Olive and the children are there to take care. The surprise has been total in my entire family who all knew you so well.
You were a good doctor Peter and I remember when I was really ill; how much you did to ease my pain and then you suddenly leave all your patients and check out? As humans, we only propose but God takes the ultimate decision. We would have liked to see you again alive in your beautiful home in Limbe but God decided otherwise. As a Christian, I believe that this was your own time of exit and that we will all meet at that beautiful shore to sing with the heavenly choir. You used to sing with the choir and I guess you will join the celestial one now while we wait for our own time to join you there. My entire household misses you dearly. Fare you well! Uncle Phil.
Mrs. Titanji Beatrice

Dear Family
 I saw Peter come into CPC when I was on my way out. Then I head of the wonderful things he did while there. Then we met in Yaounde and I watch him keenly as he became an innovator in your profession, and then he became our Chapter president . During his mandate he through his commitment  and sacrifice demonstrate beyond doubt that CPC's Spirit of Service truely lived in him.
Oh, death where is their sting? He has served with total devotion in all he did. We thank the Father Almignty for his quality time with us and for knowing him.
As we mourn, we thank God he was a great human being who was present in all that was beautiful. Accept my condolence for the huge loss. He has transited but he is with us through his wonderful works
Nde Ningo (1967)

I regret your departure, you were too blunt and factual, too smart and intelligent, too truthfull and focused for the system. it so painfull to accept that the "ALL MIGHTY PROF. NDUMBE" is no more. It is everyone's final destination, but you left soo early. Make space for us.

With all the Giants gone who will fight the battle.
With all the Giants gone who will win the war.
With all the Giants gone who will keep guard.
Professor Peter Ndumbe is gone to join the other Giants
Gone are all the Giants.
Find eternal peace where you rest and comfort to all who remain.

Bouldwin Enohmbi, MN.USA

PROF AS YOU WERE GOOD TO US SO TOO YOU WERE GOOD TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD. WE KNOW YOU HAVE JUST CHANGED HOME AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE GOOD WHERE YOU ARE. WE WILL NO LONGER SEE YOU HERE UNTILL WE HOPEFULLY JOIN YOU WHEN OUR OWN TIME WILL COME BUT THE MANY OF US THAT YOU THOUGHT OR TOUCHED IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU. TO YOUR FAMILY I SAY ASHA? TO MY COLLEAGUES, I SAY OH AND TO YOUR ADMIRERS i SAY SORRY. MAY YOUR SOL REST IN PERFECT PEACE
DR AKO SIMON, BOBAN 1978
GYNAECOLOGIST/OBSTETRICIAN, CENTRAL HOSPITAL YAOUNDE

Though Professor Ndumbe was a close family friend, I never met him while growing up. My first personally encounter with him was in 1998 shortly after he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Yaounde. I was then a third year medical student. It became immediately apparent to me that I was dealing with an extraordinary man. His emphasis, almost obsession with detail and the respect for the scientific principle was legendary. Prof or "uncle Phil" as most students refered to him behind his back was a very disciplined man, a hard worker and a man with a big heart. As I became close with him, I discovered another side, a softer side. He was as emotional as he was hardworking. He believed deeply in social justice and would very often agonize about the health plights of Cameroonians.  Prof. taught me many many things about Medicine, research and life in general. One day in January 2001, very late in the evening, after a very long meeting with me in his office about my thesis (he was my thesis supervisor), he looked up at me with his all knowing but compassionate eyes and said:
"Wilson, we all have many talents, but there is one thing everyone is best at. Only do the things you are best at. If you do that, you become powerful and people will respect you for that"

That advise never left me. Every single day I get up, I remember those words.

Professor Ndumbe was a truly great man. I once told him his shoes were too big, literally and figuratively for me to fill. He said thank you and almost choked laughing.

Over the years, I studied hard and tried to be like him. I must confess, there were many a day and night when I dreamt of becoming like Prof. He was not only a mentor, he was a fiduciary.

Life is transitory. Like Zymborska said "In the end, we pay for our life with our life, we pay for ourself with ourself"

Prof is gone now but his memories will live forever with those of us who had the unique privilege of knowing him up close from a very unique angle.

He will remain a star in my heart and mind.

I will miss him deeply.

Wilson Lobe Eseme, MD
Medical Director
General Electric
Louisville, KY
e-mail: esemelobe@yahoo.com
Tel: 301 213 4266

Still seems a dream. Never could have imagined the end was this close. You were truly an exception. I pray you find peace, perfect peace. Grant us the inspiration to pursue and attain even greater heights to advance the cause you stood for. Adieu Prof..