In Memoriam
Jason E.S. Roussos (18 July 1941 - 20 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 meetings 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.