Gifts of love

A new, $ 1,000 scholarship bearing the name of Dr Firoze Ichhaporia is now being awarded to the top ranking student graduating from the Laurentian Regional High School (LRHS) in Lachute, Canada notes Main Street (February 2003). The journal acknowledges the $ 20,000 legacy left to the LRHS by its former science department head whose 31-year association with the institution ended with retirement due to a deteriorating medical condition that claimed his life on February 14, 2003 at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.

Ichhaporia’s legacy, however, is not restricted to his deathbed donation. Generations of students and their parents were infected with his love of the sciences, notes the tribute. "The grace and dignity, professionalism, academic rigor and decorum he brought to his classroom was evident in the way he treated both colleagues and students. They were equally beneficiaries of his humanity as they were of his knowledge... A shy, quiet gentleman, who enjoyed nothing more than sharing, with boundless enthusiasm, his knowledge with both students and colleagues, he rarely initiated a conversation, yet never seemed to miss a nuance, whether in English or in French. His sound grasp of subject matter and a peerless sense of organization made him a valued mentor to many.”

Ichhaporia: infectious love

Bombay born Ichhaporia, son of the late Soonabai and Maneckji, was an alumnus of Christ the King Boys School in Jhansi who then proceeded to Allaha­bad University for further studies close to his uncle Dosabhoy Gandhi, writes Ronny Dick, president of the Jhansi Parsi Anjuman, in a letter to Parsiana. Ichha­poria was a contemporary of the current Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank chairman Hosang Kohina, the Bank’s deputy general manager Burjor Bharucha and the late Baji Mirza of Calcutta, adds Dick.

Earning his MSc and PhD from Allahabad, Ichhaporia published three papers for the Indian Chemical Society and worked as scientific officer for the Indian Atomic Energy Commission. To widen his experience he was awarded a two-year scholarship, working for the Canadian National Research Council. He used his time to publish papers in the Canadian Journal of Chemistry and also in a German publication, notes Main Street.

At Lachute he taught chemistry, physics and computer science and helped local adults to become computer literate. He represented his institution on several occasions at the Shell Summer Programs for Outstanding Science Teachers. "It was not uncommon for parents to try to have their children assigned to his classes. Firoze Ichhaporia always had both the respect and the affection of his students,” the article quotes LRHS principal LeRoy Beals.

Gentle, good humored and witty, Ichhaporia enjoyed walking, cross-country skiing and cycling and lent his voice over the years to the Voix d’Argenteuil Choir. That his affection and care embraced students of all origins and races was exemplified by a poster in his office featuring over 25 newborns of all races. "To an enquiring colleague, he would ask: ‘Which, one of my children are you talking about?’” notes the article.

Even while the cancer tore into his body, Ichhaporia remained a source of good advice to close friends and could "challenge by posing a complex problem for them to ponder and solve.”

Ichhaporia is survived by his Jhansi based brother Heeju.