From: "Ryan Dunch" <ryan.dunch@UALBERTA.CA>
To: <H-ASIA@H-NET.MSU.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 12:13 AM
Subject: H-ASIA: Tribute to E. Gene Smith
> H-ASIA
> January 5, 2011
>
> Tribute to E. Gene Smith
> ************************************************************************
> From: "Ch'ng Kim See" <chngks@iseas.edu.sg>
>
> Dear Friends
>
> I hope it is possible for me to add here a note of condolence on Gene
> Smith
> who was responsible for persuading the Librarian of Congress to allow
> ISEAS
> Library, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore to participate in
> the Library of Congress Cooperative Acquisitions Program for Southeast
> Asia (CAPSEA) for which we are most appreciative. We were the first
> foreign
> library in the program in which we are still participating.
>
> As Director of the LC Jakarta-based Field Office, Gene paid me a visit
> soon
> after I took on the headship of ISEAS Library in 1988, and it became an
> annual visit during which we exchanged information and discussed many
> regional issues. We had many meals and laughter together.
>
> Gene was outstandingly knowledgeable and had a vast array of interests
> that
> went beyond the intellect. A true professional, he was proactive and
> delivered on all his promises. He was a natural, humble and egalitarian in
> his outlook, a gregarious, generous and compassionate person, one who
> could
> be counted on as a reliable and trusted friend. His residence in Jakarta
> was
> like Central Station - often swarmed with people from everywhere to
> partake
> in the free flow of food, drinks, chatter and mirth. Some visiting
> delegates
> were also lodgers! The scene mirrors Gene's affable and unique
> personality.
>
> Gene's passing is a huge loss to the intellectual and library communities
> to
> which he contributed tremendously. He will be dearly missed.
>
> Ch'ng Kim See (Ms)
> Head, ISEAS Library
> Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
> Singapore
>
>
> *************************************************************************
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