With the untimely passing of Ambassador Richard Bernal Jamaica has lost an exemplary citizen, and a devoted patriot, who committed his life to the upliftment of the Jamaican nation. Beyond his evident patriotism, he was a true Renaissance man living life in the 21st Century.
From his early days at Jamaica College (JC), his interest and accomplishments on the sports-field in Cricket, Football and Tennis were notable. Later, while at University in both Jamaica and the United States he was avid in pursuit of wider cultural interests.
To travel with Richard whether in New York, London, Mexico City or any other global cultural centre was an inimitable experience of itself. He knew where every renown Jazz Combo was playing and was knowledgeable of the location of all the Art Exhibitions on display in that city, or the Plays whether of modern or classical genre were being produced. He persisted in the pursuit of all these cultural interests throughout his entire life.
The breath of his intellectual pursuits is quite evident in the fact that throughout his career he worked variously at the Bank of Jamaica as a Deputy Governor, and at the Ministry of Finance of Jamaica. Also he served as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and its Representative to the Organization of American States. Subsequently, he was Director of the Regional Negotiating Agency (RNA) a mechanism through which CARICOM negotiated its trade arrangements with the rest of the world and as an Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). Latterly, he was appointed Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies responsible for Global Affairs.
From his earliest days lecturing at the UWI, he also devoted himself to Public Service. Significantly, he operated as Assistant to Michael Manley in relation to Manley’s activities on the South Commission and in Socialist International in the 1980s. The foundation of this exemplary career of public service rested on his prolific academic interests resulting in him authoring more than ten (10) books and scores of articles in academic journals, newspapers and other popular publications. From his earliest days he had the ability to write throughout the night. Again, this was a habit he pursued till the end: reading widely, distilling his thoughts through various academic publications.
He shall be greatly missed in local, regional and international circles. Jamaica has truly lost one of its great sons, and I am bereft of a lifelong friendship which started years ago at Jamaica College and which has lasted to this day.
I extend condolences to Margaret his wife and to his sons Brian and Daren and the wider family.
Rest well Richard.
