Thank you for the lifelong friendship and beautiful memories
Rosh Chandraratna, friend, scholar, chemistry genius, and above all, a wonderful and generous personality is sadly no more. He passed away in his sleep having suffered from a debilitating illness lasting several years.
I have known Rosh from our University days when our paths crossed in the Chemistry special degree course at the University of Colombo. Since our class had only 12 students, closeness among batchmates was inevitable and Rosh became my best pal in the batch. Although he had the capacity to shine in the academic sphere, he chose not to and he spent little time in the classroom and lab, and it became my lot to provide him with notes of the many classes he missed. He, along with Asoka, (who became my husband in later years) would rather spend their time in the canteen playing bridge, chess, and following less intellectual activities. How he passed his final examinations is beyond my comprehension and says much for his innate brilliance.
Rosh met Iolee, his soulmate and partner for life, through my close association with Iolee’s family. They first met at my residence when she was just around 14 years when a few of our university mates were gathered together. Even now she takes great delight in pointing out that while we, the older ones in the group, banished her from our midst on the grounds of her age, Rosh was the one who took pity on her and supplied her with chocolates to appease her wounded spirits. Since Iolee’s residence was close to the University, the association with her, her sister and Rosh’s group of friends, continued , through seemingly innocuous visits. The die was cast a few years later, when Rosh and Iolee married in 1975, after a whirlwind courtship. From the onset of their life together, Rosh couldn’t do enough to keep his young wife happy.
Rosh pursued his academic career in the US after marriage, and he obtained his PhD after years of grind during which time Iolee supported him in every way, in spite of having just left school and being a novice in the culinary arts. Making up for lost time Rosh came into his own in terms of his amazing prowess in synthetic organic chemistry. This was soon recognized and in time he was much sought after by many chemical laboratories. He ventured into the pharmaceutical industry where he excelled in the formulation and development of several drugs. The fact that he received over 250 patents for his work, says it all.
Although diminutive in stature, Rosh had a larger than life personality, with strong views on almost anything. Being argumentative and very articulate, he had no qualms about expressing these views irrespective of his audience. Many were the lively spats Asoka and he used to indulge in, spurred on by their friends who found these sessions most entertaining. On a personal note, Rosh was my special friend, mentor and also my adversary when he took great pleasure in picking on me for the wrong use of words and incorrect grammar. (that is, wrong according to him). I in turn was ever vigilant when he spoke to beat him at his game. Needless to say, these instances were rare.I can picture him reading this, with a sardonic expression on his face, pointing out my many purported mistakes. Our little spats left our group of friends in fits of laughter – often at my expense.
Rosh’s love for his land of birth never faded. He would regularly visit Sri Lanka with his family and catch up with family and close friends. These visits cemented the children’s love for this country and they are still so proud and happy to consider themselves Sri Lankans. I am so thankful and happy that my children and theirs have forged an indelible link of friendship. In their words, “we are family”.
Rosh maintained an exemplary and beautiful family life with Iolee and their lovely children Priyan and Sahani. They were the whole world to him, being totally committed to their comfort and well being. Rosh never did things in small measures. He was extravagant in all his actions, and his generosity knew no bounds not only towards his family but also to those in need. Figuratively, if someone needed a room , he would supply them with a house .
His inability for small talk and tactlessness was an issue that would sometimes drive Iolee round the bend. If someone greeted him claiming a past association, he would look blank. Naturally this did not go down well. He also had the tendency to drop not just bricks but houses, causing much embarrassment to family and friends too.
My fervent hope is that Iolee and the children will be able to face the loss of their beloved husband/father with fortitude, remembering all the good times they have had as a family. During the last months of his life, it was heartwarming to see how they nursed him with so much love and compassion. Iolee, Priyan and Sahani, you will be blessed for your devotion to Rosh and I am sure he is now in a place where there is no suffering but only peace and love. Though he’s with us no more, I will always be grateful to Rosh for the lifelong friendship and beautiful family he brought into my life. Dilmani