My Father’s Eulogy

I am proud to tell you that my name is Peter Krishen Persaud. I am the son of Krishen and Joyce Persaud.

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above. Of Jesus and his glory. Of Jesus and his love … I love to tell the story twill be my theme in glory.” This simple hymn was my father's favorite and it epitomized his life. Krishen Persaud was a man of faith. He first heard God’s call as a young boy. His willingness to listen to that call created challenges throughout his life. It shaped his character and experiences.

Like many Guyanese people, my father loved to listen to, and tell, stories. Today, as we gather to honor him, it’s important to tell his story.

My father came from humble beginnings - born in Bath Settlement, Berbice, Guyana - a small, culturally diverse country in northeast South America, considered part of the British West Indies. He was the 7th of 10 children. My father loved and respected his parents. His mother was a hard working traditional Indian woman and his father was a Hindu Priest. It was a family expectation that my father would be raised Hindu and possibly become a Hindu priest. However, my father was compelled to follow the way of Christianity.

His decision to become a Christian created great family conflict. Regardless, he followed his convictions and eventually got baptized in the Lutheran church. He attended a mission school against the wishes of his mother. He became a teacher and a lay minister. These decisions eventually led to him being disowned by his family. A separation that lasted for nearly 12 years. It’s hard to imagine the integrity of belief and the perseverance that was required to make such choices and to remain committed to them.

My mom and dad married in 1952. Together they had 4 children and established a loving household. Once again my father’s faith challenged him – as he heard God ask him to go to the United States to further his religious studies. Although he dearly loved his wife and four children, now ages 6 months through 8 years of age, my father felt compelled to leave. He did so with the support of his wife. But, in acting on that call, he left behind an extensive network of relatives and friends, a familiar culture, and his country. He went on to attend Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas for four years. He had tremendous courage.

After graduation, our whole family was reunited in Dubuque, Iowa so my father could attend Wartburg Seminary.

Imagine being a newly ordained minister from a third world country.

Now imagine that you are assigned to an all white congregation in Midwestern America.

Now imagine United States at the height of its political, social, and racial unrest.

Finally, imagine that along with serving your congregation, you need to assist your young family in adapting to this new place.

My father told me about the concerns and stress that were a part of this particular phase of his life. I was surprised when I first listened to his memories because, as a young child, this had been a happy time for me. How hard my father must have worked to create such a loving and secure home. And, once again, I was struck by the enormous commitment that my father's calling exacted from him.

My father’s days were filled with service. His work with others was a reflection of his faith in action. He did this in so many ways: by helping the poor and disenfranchised; by working in his church; by being a loving father, husband and grandfather. Year after year, I witnessed my father engage others with constant compassion and respect, sacrificing many things to benefit others. He was a selfless and an incredibly hardworking man.

As a preacher, my father had that third world raw passion when giving his sermon. As a child I would sit in the pew and sometimes worry if he would start to get loud and emotional while preaching. We could usually tell when it was coming and it usually did. I think it shook up a lot of people until they got used to his style.

As you can see from his story, there were periods in my father’s life when it looked as though God’s call was taking him away from his family and from a comfortable life. But, as we come together today and look at the breath of his life, we clearly see that this wasn’t the outcome.

Yes, there were moments of crisis, mistakes – times of great challenge. Yet what we see today – by the friends and community members gathered here, from all of the cards and messages received, by the family assembled – That, in the end, my father’s unwavering efforts to follow his faith, to hear God’s call, built the foundation for a deeply rich, connected, and full life.

In 2001 my father returned to his home church in Guyana. He returned to honor the site where he first heard the word of God. He didn’t travel alone. My father arrived with a youth group called: “Young Ambassadors For Christ” along with two grandchildren, Erin and Alisha. Their mission was to refurbish the old church. I remember my father speaking about this experience. In returning to Guyana, he believed he had come full circle. He had followed God’s call completely and it brought him home. His life was full, with nothing left undone.

Krishen Persaud died on Monday, April 30th at 2:22 in the afternoon. He died but his story didn’t end. I look at all of us assembled here today and I see my father’s story continuing. I see his legacy in my brothers and my sister.

In Mike: I see an 11 year old boy who came to this country to help lead the way for the rest of us kids. My father and my mother relied on Mike a lot. Today, I see my father in him. Like my father, he is a quiet leader. One whom we look to for advise and depend upon to follow through on plans.

In Gordon: I recall a story of when my dad first left Guyana to study in the United States, Gordon was only 5 years old and he began to develop frequent illnesses. It was worrisome and the doctors couldn’t diagnose what was wrong with Gordon. They finally determined that Gordon simply missed his dad too much. Today, I see Gordon as a kind-hearted man who easily connects with people – just like my dad – he has compassion and is able to build meaningful relationships with others.

In Pat: Pat was my father's only daughter--the apple of his eye. She enjoyed a special relationship with my father that no one else had. Today, I see my dad in Pat, in the way that she looks at each of us. In the way that she sees what is special and great about our family. Pat pulls our family together in a way that reminds me so much of my father.

As for his grandchildren: His beautiful grandchildren. You were the jewels of your grandfather’s life.

He treasured you.
He talked endlessly of you.
He gave you his best and you have that to carry on

Don’t look for your grandpa here but here – he will always be with you. Learn to listen to him closely.

Finally, at the heart of my father’s story, there is love and that always comes back to you mom. Thank you.

Ram Persaud
Bahnathai
Baldeo,
Ganesh,
Hari,
Premchand
Sukdeo.

Welcome your son, your brother …home.

Hallelujah!