I first met Fr. Ted Murnane in 1985. We were then starting the local committee for health research and development and he came representing the USC. His presence was immediately felt during the first meeting. His thunderous baritone voice dominated the room. His ideas were perfect in its polished American English, logical presentation and honest opinions.
Over the years we were together in many programs – from education to ICT to microelectronics to health to R&D. He could always be counted on to tell you whether your arguments are weak or strong and he did not sugar coat his comments.
I usually consulted him on difficult topics and he would give me the best references and the best analysis. I then realized that he had to do a lot of research in order to give this analysis. He was very good in using the computer and the internet.
He never read fiction; instead he focused on new developments and fresh ideas. I remember when one of my staff finished her master’s degree from Ateneo. She showed Fr. Ted her thesis work which she successfully defended with high honors. Fr. Ted read it and sent it back to her with many notes on its weaknesses, strengths and how to better improve it.
When Fr. Ted give you books to read you better read it. The next time you meet, he will certainly quiz you about it. He always wanted people to keep on learning.
Fr. Ted was not a technical man by education but he dealt with very technical matters like microelectronics and ICT. I remember a time when we were together in TriTech, an academe-industry cooperation project. There was Fr. Ted, Fred Kintanar and myself and we were discussing how to develop ICT in the region. One guy from Fairchild came to us and said, “I am very uncomfortable being in TriTech because my course is not ICT, I am an ECE.” I said to him that he should not worry because I, myself was a ChE, far from ICT. Fred then confessed, “I am not also an ICT guy, I am a linguist.” (Fred was self-taught in ICT and was the software manager of NEC). Fr. Ted then retorted, “You better not ask what my profession is.” He was a music major. He played a variety of instruments. But his great love was the piano, the violin and the trumpet. His knowledge in the technical world was all the result of reading and listening.
Whenever Fr. Ted saw me, he would come in my office and say, “I won’t be long. I just wanted to say hello.” Seven hours later, we were still talking, laughing and spelling his lamentation of USC.
When I was in the hospital when my kidneys failed, Fr. Ted was one of the first who visited me. He was already advance in his prostate cancer. Yet he took time to visit, joke around and listen to my problems. Fr. Ted then stood up and told me, “I better hear your confession, because we do not know what will happen.” He then gave me the holy rite of confession.
I was one of the few people Fr. Ted confided about his cancer. He didn’t want people to know and worry about him. He told me about his ailment because he wanted me not to worry, prepare for the worst, but always celebrate life. He also told me that you can still work even if you are sick, which I do.
I will miss Fr. Ted. The office is now more silent. I miss his singing loudly the national anthem during opening activities of our projects. I miss his sharp mind, which never gave up even to the very end of his life. I miss the company of this honest beer drinking man. I miss his e-mails, which came in torrents. I miss our conversations, arguments and reflections. I miss just being with him.
Fr. Ted I know you are in a better place with God. You are probably arguing about education with Him. I thank you Fr. Ted for generously sharing your life with us. In behalf of the DOST, the PCHRD and its instrumentalities, we are honored to know you and you certainly touched our lives. I now bid goodbye to an enlightened educator and researcher, a gifted musician, a person who expanded his talents many fold for the greater glory of God and a true human being, our champion in S&T. Farewell Fr. Ted and God Bless.
By: Rene Burt N. Llanto
August 31, 2012
Good Evening!
We are gathered here tonight as Fr. Ted’s family and to celebrate his life. Fr. Ted as we fondly call him is so full of life. He is bursting with energy and very knowledgeable. He loves to share anything and everything that interests him and he could talk for hours. He reads and is so open to learn even at an advance age. I am amazed at his computer skills (shame on me) that I’m sure he learnt when he was not so young. He got interested in research when he got involved in the Health Research Committee and that was the time that he borrowed research books, the committee members were reading. He enjoys so much listening to researchers speaking the language of research and the research jargon.
Organized, neat and orderly, he is meticulous and looks at details so closely. I email drafts of minutes of meetings, communications and reports for him to review. Surely by 8:00am the next day he would be on the phone reminding me that I have not put the full designation of a speaker and the institution that came from, and my spacing is wrong and etc., etc. etc.
His reports are very well-written and would always want it bound; he goes to Celeste, Dr. Danny Largo’s secretary in the research office for this. Generous and profuse with his thanks he is so appreciative of things one has done for him.
Our Fr. Ted likes his coffee black, goes to Vienna Kaffeehaus, to Beehive or Eddie’s for a couple of beer. He stands tall and proud with his hands on his chest and in a strong and booming voice sings our National Anthem as if singing his Star Spangled Banner. These are for me memories for my treasure chest and to be cherished.
I won’t say Goodbye, it’s too sad a word but let me just say “I love you Fr. Ted…., we love you….! ‘til we meet again. Thank you!
By: Crystal E. Oliveros
August 31, 2012
