Johannes Oentoro: A Faithful Man who Responded to God?s Calling

?For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.? Philippians 1:21

The family of Yayasan Pelita Harapan was in deep sorrow as the founder Dr. (HC) Johannes Oentoro, Ph.D. passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 after struggling with stroke and pancreatic cancer for a few years. Family, dearest friends, and all of Yayasan Pelita Harapan staffs who came from all over Indonesia attended the last memorial service at Dome of the Harvest, Lippo Village and escorted him to his final sanctuary at San Diego Hills, Karawang on the National Education Day, May 2, 2011.

As he contributed so many great things to the educational world, this great man was buried at the Heroes Plaza. ?He is buried here with full honor as a hero,? said Dr. (HC) James T. Riady, his dear friend and colleague when he was reading Oentoro?s biography. ?He was a lover of music and arts, a visionary leader, a builder of people, institutions, and church, of education, of schools and university, healthcare, hospitals, the most basic and most important in society?s foundation, a founder and first rector of Universitas Pelita Harapan, founder and first head of school of Sekolah Lentera Harapan all over Indonesia, of Sekolah Dian Harapan, of Sekolah Pelita Harapan, 25 of them and he led the foundation of one thousand more. Founder and first president of Siloam network of hospitals nationally,? said James T. Riady reading Oentoro?s biography.

Not only did he leave a legacy in education, but also he was a man of God. He was the man who responded to God. His wife, Santy Oentoro, recalled her husband?s life and mentioned that he was a strong man who truly believes in God until his very end of time. His youngest brother Pdt. Dr. Jimmy B. Oentoro also mentioned his admiration of his eldest brother. ?I?m proud of you, Koh Yo. We?re all proud of you,? said him concluding his speech. (dee)

UPH Media Relations