Dad was someone for whom life was not very tender but a very persevering worker who firmly believed that education was the key to success. Students called dad ‘The Tough Professor’. Others call him the walking dictionary.

As a student, whenever you left my dad’s classroom, you took home with you a lesson about life. Dad loved teaching and learning.  Dad invested so much on reading – and at the time of his death he still had two rooms full of books. After his Baccalaureate, Papa is forced to stop his studies in order to support his family. So he enrolled into the teacher training colleges.

When dad met mum in Nkongsamba, life changes. He now has more responsibility and must work harder to get his few brothers out of the village in Bandjoun so they can have a better life in the city. After a while dad saw the birth of Gervais. He decided to return to school to improve their living conditions so he can give his son what he never had himself.

Later he was appointed school Head teacher. Being an ambitious man, he was not satisfied as a school Head. He went back into teachers training – this time at the more advanced Ecole Normale Superieure where he spent a few years. He graduates as a certified high school and college lecturer in modern letters. Dad spent some years teaching in Bonamoussadi and also worked part-time in a number of private colleges in Akwa North in Douala. Eventually he became a teacher at the teacher training institute.

Papa Dzudie was a man who loved his children and only spoke well of them. Dad was a humble man and always required his children to be honest and maintain very high academic standards. He also required his children to live simple lives without envying the neighbors. He spent his life encouraging students who have invested in their studies – contributing in developing their knowledge and understanding life around them.

The trip to America was his last trip. He was sick and despite our efforts, despite our love, despite our prayers, sacrifices of doctors in USA, God saw how tired he was and decided it was time he came to his eternal home with his lord and saviour Jesus. As much as it breaks our hearts, we have hope in the Word of God in 1Thessalonians 4:13-14.

Papa was the eldest son of six. He has the form of great men and leaves behind a legacy with fingerprints on every continent.

To God be the glory, and might and power forever. Amen