As one of Fons’ external PhD candidates I would visit Tilburg to meet with him once a year. Before each visit I would put some time and thought in deciding what authentically Lebanese or Armenian gift to get him from Lebanon and even my parents would get involved in giving me ideas. During my last visit, before his move to Australia, I gifted him a bottle of aged Armenian cognac. There was some debate in my house whether he would have time to drink it before his move, if he would carry it with him to Australia, and if it would be a burden.
He accepted the gift graciously and I was really happy to learn a short while afterwards that he and Lona had found it so delicious and smooth they had finished the bottle. We laughed about the debate that I had had with my parents and we began discussing different types of cognacs and searching for vendors in Australia. This situation makes me smile to this day and I really cherish all these random discussions we had.
I had made plans to gift him an older bottle of Cognac for my defense. Upon sharing the sad news of his passing with my parents I learnt that my father had made these same plans and was looking forward to meeting him. The loss of his passing was felt even by those who had only heard of him in stories, it is a great loss. I will miss his very much! My condolences to his family and loved ones, may he rest in peace.
As one of Fons’ external PhD candidates I would visit Tilburg to meet with him once a year. Before each visit I would put some time and thought in deciding what authentically Lebanese or Armenian gift to get him from Lebanon and even my parents would get involved in giving me ideas. During my last visit, before his move to Australia, I gifted him a bottle of aged Armenian cognac. There was some debate in my house whether he would have time to drink it before his move, if he would carry it with him to Australia, and if it would be a burden.
He accepted the gift graciously and I was really happy to learn a short while afterwards that he and Lona had found it so delicious and smooth they had finished the bottle. We laughed about the debate that I had had with my parents and we began discussing different types of cognacs and searching for vendors in Australia. This situation makes me smile to this day and I really cherish all these random discussions we had.
I had made plans to gift him an older bottle of Cognac for my defense. Upon sharing the sad news of his passing with my parents I learnt that my father had made these same plans and was looking forward to meeting him. The loss of his passing was felt even by those who had only heard of him in stories, it is a great loss. I will miss his very much! My condolences to his family and loved ones, may he rest in peace.
