It is very difficult to think about Etienne in the past tense. I consider myself lucky to have worked with him very closely for the last 4 years in Shell Internal Audit. One of the most calmest, coolest and intelligent human beings; what personified Etienne was his natural leadership qualities, incredible ability to connect at a personal level and someone that was always unconditionally available for support and guidance. I have met very few people like him, even remember asking him “do you ever lose your cool?” A gentlemen to the core, ever smiling and a voice that could so easily diffuse any difficult situation. Every time I have visited The Netherlands, he has always enquired about my comfort, kept checking on me with a genuine sense of care. I can keep going on and on about his greatness…
We last spoke about a couple of weeks back, I did not in my wildest of dreams think that would be our last conversation. I keep pinching myself to hope to wake up from a bad dream and to be told that this never happened.
Life seems unfair, but these are realities we don’t control. But I take solace from the fact that I was fortunate enough to share some time of my life with such a great man and learnt so much from him.
To the family, I offer my heartfelt condolences and love. Etienne will continue to inspire all of us, and bless us from wherever he is! As the great Indian scripture The Bhagawad Gita says -
“The Spirit is neither born nor does it die at any time. It does not come into being or cease to exist. It is unborn, eternal, permanent, and primeval. The Spirit is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.”
- Sri (India)