THE nation yesterday learned of the passing of Dr Roger Luncheon. One of Guyana’s most enduring fighters for freedom and democracy is a household name of a national icon who left deep imprints in and on the minds of all Guyanese who knew him, or of him.

Few knew-not of him, but all, in their heart-of-hearts, will admit that Dr Luncheon committed and contributed his entire life to service to and for both Guyana and Humanity.

Always focused on working with those most and best-inclined and/or able to deliver true freedom to all Guyanese, his dedication was marked by his lifelong association with and service to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and successive PPP/Civic administrations (the latter between 1992 and yesterday’s last breath).

A humanist par excellence and an unapologetic and unrepentant struggler for good for the benefit of all, his commitment and dedication to the political struggle for betterment for Guyana led to a personal popularity that transcended race, class and culture.
He rose to the top ranks of the PPP, propelled by his demonstrated commitment to be more than a medical doctor, his personal and organisational interactions endearing both him and his party closer to all the people he met.

Such was Dr Luncheon’s popularity in the PPP that his score in elections to the PPP’s Executive was only topped by votes for General Secretary Dr Cheddi Jagan and fellow founding leader, Janet Jagan.

That Dr Luncheon served six Presidential terms as Head of the Presidential Secretariat was an indication of his professional political and administrative expertise, but also a continued reverence to his historical legacy of service to Guyana.
His institutional memory was no less important as accelerated advancement in age took its toll, his wisdom as respected as ever, never mind his diminishing sight.

Dr Luncheon survived all adversities in his 74 years on Planet Earth, but it would be a tragic mistake to think or conclude that his contribution to Guyana was only through politics.
The fact is that Dr Luncheon’s contribution to the development and sustenance of aspects of Guyana’s healthcare service is just as and possibly, even more admirable to those who know and have benefitted over decades from his professional and political wisdom or guidance.

Dr Luncheon kept his ideological stances close to his heart and was also unapologetic and unrepentant about his choice of political propulsion.

Once accurately described by his arch political enemies as ‘Black and White, but Red All-over’, the Doc held on to his ideological tiller throughout his life’s voyage, never opting for costly short-cuts along the long road.

He knew that all that’s necessary for durable change is never possible in one government’s term, Dr Luncheon took his last flight satisfied that Guyana is on the right track with what it takes to be all it’s predicted to become in a few short years.

He survived long-enough to see the party he supported since the 1980s finally being entrusted with the confidence of Guyanese, in the two last national elections, having been seriously reposed with the responsibility to build the nation’s future.

Dr Luncheon was one of the longest-lasting members of the leadership of the PPP of African Descent and his exit the day after Emancipation Day may have more positive symbolic relevance than realised.

Dr Luncheon’s last post was sounded on August 2, 2023, but the majority of his 74 years were very well spent in national service to Guyana and Guyanese across political, racial, cultural or class barriers, because that’s who he was: a serious fighter for all of Guyana’s freedoms.