Demise of my father

Dr. MANGALATH PHILIP ALEXANDER

21^ST September 1930 – 9^th December 2012

Dr. M.P. Alexander was born to a teacher in Chandanapally a village in Kerala. He was one of eleven siblings. From an early age he had an intense drive to study. The fire in him led him to Delhi, PUSA institute where he obtained a gold medal for B.Sc honours and also for M. Sc. Agriculture. He married Ms. Anna Vareed, only child of Dr and Mrs. K.P. Vareed and went with his bride to Ohio State University where he obtained a Ph. D. in cytogenetics in 1961. He returned to take up government service with the ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) in Coimbatore Sugarcane Breeding Institute.  It was here that Philip his first son, and then Mary Ann, his daughter were born. The family moved to Bangalore where the children were admitted to Bishop Cotton School. The family remained in Bangalore till the children finished their education, which was made possible because he chose to stay in Bangalore by not accepting any further promotions. He retired as the Head of the Pollen Bank which he established in Bangalore. His papers and discoveries are well known and used in the world of agriculture, including a differential stain for pollen which is used worldwide today.

Besides the field of agriculture, he has explored varied and multiple fields each of which he strove for proficiency in and attained a thorough working knowledge. Electronics, Radio and Ham broadcasting, wine making, refrigeration, photography, Sanskrit grammar and writing, poetry, motorbike mechanics, Ayurveda, siddha, computer science, were all fields that he was proficient in. Such  diverse and comprehensive knowledge equipped him to speak with authority on a variety of subjects. Mysticism and religious philosophy were close to his heart as he ventured into areas where very few others would tread.

He had a deep and devoted love for his family, and the passage of his wife in 1994, Christmas day was a great blow to him. He became extremely unwell shortly after and then went to be with his son, in CMC Ludhiana, leaving Mary Ann to hold the fort at home alone in Bangalore.

In Ludhiana, he recovered completely and soon became a regular feature on campus and even in the city as he spent time with all kinds of people, encouraging them and leaving indelible memories of his interactions. He welcomed Anna into the family in 2000 November and had a high esteem and regard for her always. He completely supported his son Philip even when asked whether he would consider moving to the cold and mountainous area of Manali where they felt called to serve. His outgoing and loving nature endeared him to all in Manali where he became a fond fixture in the marketplace, where he used to go on his daily rounds of visits.

Over the past eight years, though his health remained well despite one episode of hospitalization for pneumonia in 2010, age and his smoking habit began to pay a toll on his lungs. His marketplace visits decreased as he found it difficult to move about freely without becoming short of breath. His interests continued to flourish indoors as he became proficient with the computer and linked his satellite tv and built a finely tuned music system, on which he enjoyed listening to old classic hindi songs and watching movies. The arrival of his grandson was a source of great joy to him and he took pride in drawing attention to the intelligence of Nathaniel. A hallmark of his day was a daily morning email to his daughter Mary Ann who was married and in Finland.

He fell coming out of the bathroom on the 14^th of November, and though he walked in the morning and afternoon, found himself unable to get out of bed in the afternoon. An x ray done showed a fracture of the right femur. He was moved to CMC Ludhiana by ambulance where further investigations revealed a cancer of his right lung. He underwent a partial hip replacement on the 19^th, a procedure which he tolerated very well and was ready for transport back to Manali in a week. In Manali hospital he recovered well and was looked after and cared for very well by all the staff. He was brought back home capable of standing and sitting with help, on the 8^th of December 2012.

On the 9^th December, Sunday, he watched the passion of Christ in the morning, had lasagnia for lunch which Anna his daughter in law made for him, slept, and in the evening ate a piece of cake from his grandson’s hands. The celebration of his grandsons second birthday was delayed for this homecoming. In the night however, he suddenly developed breathing difficulty. He asked for prayer, he prayed, and surrounded by his family, went peacefully to be with the Lord with a half smile on his face.

He was buried in the campus of the Mission hospital, after a funeral service which packed the church in Manali. A memorial service was held on the 13^th, which was so well attended that there was no room to sit in the church.

He will always be remembered fondly by all as a brilliant man with a heart big enough to love one and all leaving indelible memories of his interactions. His drive to study and get young ones to study will continue to inspire many.

We thank God for his life.