Fernando, your IMD fellows will always remember you.
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Our friend FERNANDO Mercé passed away in 2004. The last time I met him was late 80’s in occasion of a familiar dinner they organized at home in Switzerland (Vevey), just before being transferred again to the Americas, to assume the highest responsibility on the technical field in some countries.
Later on, in early 90’s we met his wife Maro and their daughter. They were in the Costa Brava for some short holidays, but Fernando had remained in his work-place. Since then I have not been in direct contact with them anymore. From time to time I had news about them thanks to some common friends, but from the beginning of this century I had no other news of them. |
It was a couple of years ago when I learned the sad news of his decease. I was not able to attain other information on that, nor the family address to send some words to them.
I am sure that – like me – all Ped15’s fellows remember him very well: his seriousness but with a good friendship, his rigorousness but with a required flexibility, his predominant strong technical skills but with an open mind to absorb other business’s views, ...
I knew he had a fruitful life both on the family side and on the professional one.
However, one day – being still too young – he left all his life, family, friends and colleagues. From then on his friendship, openness and charisma linger with us.
Contributed by Enric Grabulosa
I am sure that – like me – all Ped15’s fellows remember him very well: his seriousness but with a good friendship, his rigorousness but with a required flexibility, his predominant strong technical skills but with an open mind to absorb other business’s views, ...
I knew he had a fruitful life both on the family side and on the professional one.
However, one day – being still too young – he left all his life, family, friends and colleagues. From then on his friendship, openness and charisma linger with us.
Contributed by Enric Grabulosa
For Guy, from your PED 15 class of autumn 1978 - Imede
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Dear Guy
It was with the greatest of shock that we learnt about your sudden death in the summer of 2006. You, (Mr. Telephone), were truly one of the great characters of PED 15. You were proactively participating in class, in sports and in partying. You were deeply interested in your class members at PED 15 and you had always a great smile on your face. Above all you were a very generous person. Your house in Epalinges and your family, Chrystina and Sophie at that time, were always available to us. We, your class members at PED 15, were very lucky to have you in our class at IMEDE in the famous autumn of 1978, and as a close friend after that. Your death means a great loss to all of us. The happy memories will however always remain in our hearts. |
Ajit, we miss you but remember your warm friendship.
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Career with Nestlé
Ajit started his career in 1968 in Nestlé India as Marketing Trainee where he worked his way up through Marketing and Sales. In 1978, after PED 15, he came to the Centre in Vevey as Marketing Manager for Dairy products. In 1983 he was entrusted with positions of Marketing Director in Indonesia, India and in the Philippines. Early in 1995 he became Market Head for Malaysia and Head of the Malaysia/Singapore Region in January 1999. He returned to the Centre one year later as Senior Vice President and Head of the Dairy Strategic Business Unit. |
I first met Ajit in 1977 when he hosted a reception for Nestlé participants at a congress in New Delhi.
His warm, friendly and approachable personality was quickly obvious and this together with the impact of Delhi's cultural heritage made a lasting impression. It was therefore a very pleasant surprise to re-meet Ajit at the start of PED 15 in 1978. Ajit with his quiet and unassuming manner was a pillar of stability within the PED 15 community. Always ready to help, he was no Rolex hunter or late night Lausanne visitor but when the going got really tough — those pointed questions in class / we all looking at each other for a way to escape — it was often Ajit who got us out of the tight spot. A team player through and through and open to the ideas of others, one could compare Ajit to that warm, approachable oak tree with a wisdom beyond his years. After PED 15, I lost contact with Ajit but he continued with Nestlé in Asia and built up a very successful career. It was therefore a shock to hear many years later of Ajit's sudden death due to a post-operative complication caused by medical negligence. We at PED 15 were very lucky to have you in our class. We are fortunate and pleased that Malini has agreed to continue the PED 15 contact. Contributed by Keith Miley - (2013) |
Condolences from IMD faculty and PED15 alumni to Per’s wife
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I met Per at IMEDE in August 1978 as he started PED 15 and I assumed the Directorship of the Programme for the first time. I’ve always held a particular affection for that class and a few of us kept in touch over the years, Per included.
He will be remembered as a larger than life character appreciated by all of his classmates and IMEDE faculty at that time. It was with deep sadness that I received the news about the passing of Per. It is many years since our meeting in Lausanne for PED 15 where we made many wonderful friends. Amongst them, my two best friends were Guy and Per. Guy became the godfather to my first-born son and we named our first cat after Per! I believe he found this to be funny. Now they are both gone and I hope they meet up and share fond memories. |
Per was always the life and soul of our activities in Switzerland both whilst we were there and at the many reunions and meetings we had afterwards. His parting leaves a large gap in many lives and we will remember him always.
In Lausanne David was our leader and Per took automatically the role of our “social officer “who pulled all of us together, always with a little smile on his face taking things not too seriously. His charm and easiness was outstanding.
He was a real connoisseur of good living, inviting friends to take part in his way of life. Per therefore was a perfect gentleman, always polite, smiling and having ironic afterthoughts in his mind – sometimes with a witty remark to follow. There are so many and lovely memories we shared in Lausanne and especially the long weekend we spent altogether in Stockholm years ago - unforgettable!
There are no words enough to express how much I regret the loss of Per. I’ve always found Per being a true friend and admired his professional talents and wittiness. What we all at PED15 certainly remember was Per’s address at the Graduation Ceremony, as our representative. Per looked back at what expectations we had and how these had been met as members of PED15, and pointed to the learning in our study groups and to the relationship with ourselves. Concluding with his own perception that “We had in this group met human beings and not business machines”. Years later Per’s words made echo on his Ujamaa Family Centre project in Nairobi, an outstanding achievement to be recognized.
We do not know each other well but sadness brings people together in strange ways. I am so sorry that Per is no longer with us. A loss like this is a deep shock for which we are never prepared. Hope keeps us going to the last.
The notice that Per passed away yesterday really makes me sad. We didn't live so close after IMD times, when we had a very stimulating time. I keep a strong memory of his kindness and intelligent opinions and ideas. He is a person that I would maintain with a great pleasure by the chance I had to meet him.
What remains now are all the good moments you/we could spend with Per.
We are deeply sad about Per's loss and trust God gives you the strength to get through. Our most sincere condolences.
It is with great sadness that I have received the news of the passing of Mr. Per Engström. I did not know Per personally, but my colleagues who taught him remember him very fondly and I share their sorrow learning the sad news.
On behalf of IMD, please allow me to extend my most sincere condolences to you and your loved ones.
In Lausanne David was our leader and Per took automatically the role of our “social officer “who pulled all of us together, always with a little smile on his face taking things not too seriously. His charm and easiness was outstanding.
He was a real connoisseur of good living, inviting friends to take part in his way of life. Per therefore was a perfect gentleman, always polite, smiling and having ironic afterthoughts in his mind – sometimes with a witty remark to follow. There are so many and lovely memories we shared in Lausanne and especially the long weekend we spent altogether in Stockholm years ago - unforgettable!
There are no words enough to express how much I regret the loss of Per. I’ve always found Per being a true friend and admired his professional talents and wittiness. What we all at PED15 certainly remember was Per’s address at the Graduation Ceremony, as our representative. Per looked back at what expectations we had and how these had been met as members of PED15, and pointed to the learning in our study groups and to the relationship with ourselves. Concluding with his own perception that “We had in this group met human beings and not business machines”. Years later Per’s words made echo on his Ujamaa Family Centre project in Nairobi, an outstanding achievement to be recognized.
We do not know each other well but sadness brings people together in strange ways. I am so sorry that Per is no longer with us. A loss like this is a deep shock for which we are never prepared. Hope keeps us going to the last.
The notice that Per passed away yesterday really makes me sad. We didn't live so close after IMD times, when we had a very stimulating time. I keep a strong memory of his kindness and intelligent opinions and ideas. He is a person that I would maintain with a great pleasure by the chance I had to meet him.
What remains now are all the good moments you/we could spend with Per.
We are deeply sad about Per's loss and trust God gives you the strength to get through. Our most sincere condolences.
It is with great sadness that I have received the news of the passing of Mr. Per Engström. I did not know Per personally, but my colleagues who taught him remember him very fondly and I share their sorrow learning the sad news.
On behalf of IMD, please allow me to extend my most sincere condolences to you and your loved ones.
To Keith Miley
December 9th, 1946 – July 31st, 2018
December 9th, 1946 – July 31st, 2018
Our dear friend and PED15 colleague Keith departed us last July 31st, 2018 in Breukelen, The Netherlands, where he and his wife Ellen settled some 20 years ago. Keith, an Engineer by training built their house by himself, with great dexterity and perseverance, on the lakes only 25 minutes from Amsterdam’s main airport.
Perseverance indeed, as he once pointed out: “The Netherlands with much of its land below sea-level and many canals, lakes and rivers has decided that there is still insufficient water. It has been raining here almost incessantly for the past 5 months”.
Keith, “The silent Scot” as he was known, had a profound sense for friendship, kindness and respect for others. One of his most memorable quotes during the training denotes how elegantly and spontaneously he phrased a question to one of our professors: “Could you clarify that proposal for my non-native speaking English colleagues and myself?”, mind you, he had a brilliant command of the English language, master at expressing his thoughts, both verbally and in writing, one reason why he once wrote: “the advantage of being chased by David Evans to write something for a 20th anniversary year book – is because it forces you to stop and think!”
Great thinker indeed. In 1998 he briefed us for the 1998 Anniversary PED15 Year Book, on his professional endeavours: “I moved to Nestlé in the Netherlands after PED 15. Later, I worked for Sara Lee/Douwe Egbert and Lantor until I became fed-up with increasing business politics and bureaucracy. Some people (and I’m one of them) need more time than others to weaken up to the fact that your business and private life should deliver more fun and fulfilment.” Deep in his soul, The Silent Scot enjoyed meeting up with family and friends, members of PED15, among them Max and Brigitta, David and Margaret and – sometimes – Per. He was so pleased to “get in touch with friends travelling through Schiphol that could stop by and meet up”.
In 1990 Keith started his own management consulting practice specialising in leading client teams develop their own marketing strategy and culture change.
He emphasized that: “Building a business from scratch was a tough challenge but as your own boss, you have the advantage of a more direct contact with the marketplace and concentrating on what you like doing – with all the consequences! Was it not Luiz who voiced those pearls of wisdom at IMEDE when planning his shack to serve beer to the jungle natives? If it still exists please let me know. Maybe I can use it for the next team building programme to awaken managers to another route for performance!”
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Pearls of wisdom was his own character, he was always ready to make a stop and think! Perhaps, he said in one of his writings “I should ask Luiz if he would enjoy an assistant. One thing is for sure, if this rain doesn’t stop we’ll be moving to a sunnier climate, I miss Asia and we have never been to South America.”
The silent Scot and Ellen remained in the rainy Netherlands, perhaps the weather was good for his deep thinking or due to his “Celtic culture which is at the roots of my being, they say the right moment is often dictated by forces outside our influence” – as he once said. |
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In late 2013 he was so excited “we are clearing the decks early before year end and have decided for a 3 week ‘Time Out’ from the Festive bustle choosing instead for a warm and sunny climate. We will Kiss the Coast of Mexico’s Caribbean at Playa del Carmen on Christmas Day!!”. Keith and Ellen enjoyed so much the trip – no rain.
Deep in his mind was the question of family gathering as he reflected in late 2014 “…we observe the busy lives the children and grandchildren experience in this modern-day digital time period. Fortunately, there are traditions which briefly slow down the pace of life. We look forward to all meeting up as family on the 26th December here in the Netherlands”.
He also was the realistic Scot: “Sometimes it is better to cherish fond thoughts of good times gone bye than face current realities” – another of his fine remarks.
Deep in his mind was the question of family gathering as he reflected in late 2014 “…we observe the busy lives the children and grandchildren experience in this modern-day digital time period. Fortunately, there are traditions which briefly slow down the pace of life. We look forward to all meeting up as family on the 26th December here in the Netherlands”.
He also was the realistic Scot: “Sometimes it is better to cherish fond thoughts of good times gone bye than face current realities” – another of his fine remarks.
In 1788 Robert Burns sent the poem 'Auld Lang Syne' to the Scots Musical Museum, indicating that it was an ancient song but that he'd been the first to record it on paper. The phrase 'auld lang syne' roughly translates as 'for old times' sake', and the song is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year, evoking a sense of belonging and fellowship, tinged with nostalgia.
How true it is this poem reflecting some of Keith’s most profound feelings:
How true it is this poem reflecting some of Keith’s most profound feelings:
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And there’s a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine, And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne (Robert Burns) |
And there's a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours! And we'll take a deep draught of good-will For long, long ago |
Keith “The silent Scot” certainly enjoyed life immensely and found peace and tranquillity in Breukelen and everywhere he spent his life.
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