In Memoriam Jason E.S. Roussos (18th July, 1941 - 20th April, 1996)
Dr. Jason Roussos died at Tokyo Women's Medical College Hospital on April
20th, after a long battle with cancer. He had a distinguished career which
was world-wide but centered in Japan. He was born in Athens, Greece, on
July 18th, 1941, and was only 54 when he died. He was a Renaissance man
of modern times, whose accomplishments were prodigious.
Dr. Roussos was educated at Athens College, Brandeis University in the U.S.,
and the universities of Paris, London and finally Oxford, where he received
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and also taught.
A graduate of the Hellenic Conservatory of Music, he gave piano recitals
in Europe. He became a noted music critic, traveling to leading music festivals,
attending concerts in Japan, and often contributing articles on musical
subjects to the "Japan Times".
He was on the faculty of Sophia University from 1970, teaching Philosophy
by not only introducing the fundamentals to his students but also by presenting
the history of Greek Philosophy in all its intricacies, and that of other
countries, including Russia. He also lectured at other universities, acted
as supervising editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica (Japan), and wrote
many scholarly articles. He was a linguist familiar with over ten languages.
He was very articulate, with a rare sense of humor and the genius to get
to the crux of his subjects. He had been a member of the Asiatic Society
since 1972 and a member of the Council since 1979, and was chairman of its
Fine Arts Committee. He presented papers to the Society on four occasions:
in May, 1973, on "Constantine Gerakis (Phaulkon), 1647-1688, Greek
Adviser to the King of Thailand"; in March, 1974, on "The Japanese
and Greek Theatres"; in October, 1987, on "Rama III: The Opening
of Siam-Japanese Relations"; and in December, 1992, on "King Maha
Mongkut (Rama IV): A Glimpse at his Reign and the Role which Anna Leonowens
Played in it". He attended meetings as late as April 8th, so that despite
his illness he was working until the very end of his brilliant life.
Dr. Roussos received many prizes and honors, including the prestigious Fellowship
of the Japan Foundation (1974). He was decorated by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej
of Thailand in 1995, and by the governments of Ireland and Finland. He served
as Honorary Cultural Counsellor of the Greek Embassy, with additional responsibility
for South Korea, the Philippines and China, and in this capacity helped
many Greek theatrical, musical and dance groups make their first appearances
in Japan. He was also invited by the Swedish, Portuguese, British, Italian,
Argentine, Mexican and Belgian governments for meeting and lectures.
The funeral ceremony was held at the Nikolai Cathedral on Monday, April
22nd, at 1:00 PM, and was attended by the Greek Ambassador, H.E. George
Sioris, and many other distinguished friends. A memorial service sponsored
by the Asiatic Society in his honor was held in St. Anselm's Church on Monday,
May 20th, at 6:30 PM, with Fr. Neal Lawrence officiating. We say farewell
to a dear friend who will be greatly missed.
Written by Fr. Neal H. Lawrence.
Adapted from the ASJ Bulletin No. 6, June 1996.
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