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The Dale Bisnauth many knew
Dear Editor,
I, like many people who knew the late Rev. Dr. Dale Bisnauth, am saddened by his passing. I was privileged to have worked listened and learned from him.
Dale was a man of many hats and boundless energy. He was at one time simultaneously the Pastor of Burns Memorial Church, Moderator of the Guyana Presbyterian Church, Director of Guyana Extension Seminary, Vice President of the Guyana Council of Churches (GCC) and a frequent contributor to the Catholic Standard.
Sometimes I wondered how he managed. Rev. Bisnauth was also very supportive of youth work in his church and took a special interest in their development.
Dale was also very involved in the anti-dictatorial struggle.When the GCC formed the National Crisis Council to formulate a national response to import restrictions, Dale was there. Prior to the formation of the PCD he also chaired the Political Action Committee. It was at one of these meetings that he learned from someone at the University of Guyana that the PPP was in discussion with the PNC to form a joint government. This piece of news was very upsetting to him, since the PPP was an important part of the Committee.
One aspect of the National Crisis Council’s program was to import much needed food supplies to distribute to poor citizens. An approach was made to the then Minister of Home Affairs Kenneth Denny. We were told that he would not handle the request and we would have to see the Prime Minister Dr Ptolemy Reid.
There was a three-man team who volunteered to meet Dr Reid and of course Dale was one of those along with the late Rev. Oswald Best and Rev. George Richmond. The outcome of that meeting is the stuff of folklore,it was reported that the exchanges became very heated and Dr. Reid began to froth at the mouth with vexation. He subsequently left to make a call and never returned.The story was repeated often enough to much laughter.
During the strike in Linden in the early 1980’s when roads were blocked and access to the town was restricted (yes under the Burnham Government the citizens of Linden blocked the roads too), there was an effort by the church to get food relief to the people. When volunteers were sought to assist in the project, Dale was one of the first to volunteer andhe successfullydrove to Linden.
I also remember travelling to Amakokopai, Phillippi and other villages as part of an outreach with Dale and Cary Fraser. We arrived in Phipillipi and were invited to a big meal of pepper pot (not the coastal dish) for which our stomachs were not prepared, there was only one toilet and darkness was beckoning. Improvisation was therefore the order of the night.
Dale finished that trip convinced that Keopectate was a magnificent invention.
These are but a few of the memories of the time I shared with Dale. To his immediatefamily and relatives, I express my deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.
Keith Branch
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