A great teacher and a beautiful soul

I first met Paul at the Central Reserve Bank of Peru's university extension course in 1981. Paul was the Monetary Theory teacher.  All the students enjoyed Paul's great knowledge and immense kindness. I was lucky to join the Bank that year, and through Azucena, I had the chance to see Paul throughout the years and enjoy his wisdom and warm friendship. And now I am glad that I said hello to him on the phone 2 years ago. He will be greatly missed indeed. 

I send my love to Azucena, Eddy and Elyssa. 

Dear Azucena and Edward and Elyssa,

I came to know of this unfortunate news only a few days ago.

Paul and I worked for the first time in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2003. The Budget Office, the Ministry of Finance, and other agencies appreciated Paul's work. I kept in touch with Paul over the years. He joined my team again in Laos between 2009 and 2011. His work in Lao was of equal value. I reached out and Paul joined me in Laos in 2017.

Paul was innovative, a dedicated professional, and above all, inclined to support those who yearned to learn. 

Azucena and Edward - although we never met in person, please accept my sincere condolences. Edward - your Dad would tell me your stories in Laos (2009-2011).  

Keep well my friend, 

 Paul Banerjee

Email from Paul's nephew Gavi

When I think of my uncle Paul, I was always amazed that one person could know so much about so many different things. A true cosmopolitan, he had extremely broad and deep interests, which always seemed much bigger than those of the average person… His explaining the flaws in US monetary policy was the “easy” part to understand. We would visit Washington DC and he would explain the design history of the Roosevelt memorial as if he was a tour guide, or tell you the best time to visit the Smithsonian museums.

As a fellow PhD holder, he gave me the best advice before I started my degree: “keep your head down, do the work, and move on!” And boy did he move – World Bank, running the economies of sub-Saharan Africa, world traveller, devoted husband and father…

A few years ago, “Unki Paul” came up to Montreal for the Passover seders and made a big impression on my kids. Though I am sorry to report that his great nephew Shmuel – named after Grandpa Sam – departs from the good Beckerman tradition by insisting on a 0.7-mm mechanical pencil! You see, Uncle Paull had very particular opinions about writing implements – mechanical pencils as well as pens. He had a big influence on my mother’s choices as well as Uncle David’s!

His last years were tough – it’s hard to pivot from international consultant to patient – but he did so with as much grace as his lifelong pursuit of love, family, and career. I only hope that I can emulate his intellectual honesty, curiosity, and courage.

May his memory be a blessing and a guiding light.

Gavi

So sorry to see Paul go. He was a great and positive influence on my life and person with whom I loved to break bread and talk about economics. His understanding of the subject always put in awe.

More importantly, maybe, he was always generous in his feelings toward others.

We will remember you fondly, Paul.

Lars J. Pedersen

This is what I said about my brother at the funeral. 

Despite the difference in our ages and the lengthy geographic separations, I was very close to my big brother. In my eyes, he was awesome. He could play cello like a pro, he knew everything about music, art, baseball, history, museums, cities around the world, and he spoke many languages. He was a true renaissance man. I was always so proud to say that he was my brother.

He also had a very good sense of humor - a bit on the "zany" side. He loved the New Yorker comics. He often saw the humor or the black humor in things that others didn't. We had such a lot of fun with the family.

When we became a blended family, there were some fun summers spent all together, with lots of ice cream and lots of laughter.

As we were growing up, he was always teaching me (or trying to teach me) new skills. He encouraged me to learn an instrument and to appreciate all types of music - jazz, classical, rock, etc. Can you picture a 14-year-old big brother trying to teach long division to his 7-year-old little sister? It wasn’t a pretty sight!

Once I had my kids, Paul and Susy became the most wonderful uncle and aunt. They tried to visit us when they could. And they always picked out very special gifts due my kids and later for my grandkids.

Paul was a caring and devoted son, especially as our mother aged. Even when he was doing a lot of travel for work, he always managed to plan visits to mom in Florida on his way to or from his work. When she was transferred to upstate New York, he continued to visit her and he took over managing her finances, along with some help from me. We were a great team.

He was a wonderful and dedicated husband and a proud father.

These last years have not been easy, Paul suffered from a debilitating kidney disease that gradually sapped his energy and his ability to function. He suffered from a serious depression, that was triggered by the treatment for his illness. There were many hospitalizations and too many medical mishaps. Susy was there for him all along this difficult path. I said many times that if not for her, he would not have survived this long. She has been like an Iron Lady and fought every step along the way to keep him alive and as healthy as possible. I think that Eddie’s frequent visits from Los Angeles and his phone calls also prolonged my brother’s life.

Even though our paths sometimes diverged, we shared the basic values that our parents instilled in us. Paul truly enjoyed spending time over the holidays with our family.

I love him and will miss him terribly. 

Dearest Azucena, my sincerest condolences to you and the entire family on the passing of Paul.  I remember my interactions with him, at your place in Bethesda, in the office or before our annual trips to the St Albany’s Schools Christmas tours.  May his soul rest in perfect eternal peace and may the fond memories left behind continue to comfort you.

Sincerely,

Judy