A Remembrance of Kenthao de Monteiro, co-founder of The Elephant Walk

Our very dear Kenthao passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 25^th of February, 2006 with Nyep, his wife, and his two daughters at his side.  He was overcome by an illness that sapped away his physical strength and stamina, yet never diminished his grace, nor his joy of life.

Kenthao had a very full and illustrious life.  He was loved and appreciated by everyone who met him.

In his prime, Kenthao was a great storyteller and knew all the good jokes.  He always had a strong and proud appreciation of his family's roots. The de Monteiro family name came from Portugal originally in the 1860’s.  Kenthao’s grandfather, Kol de Monteiro, was a counselor to Cambodia's King Norodom.  His father, Pitou de Monteiro, served as special Counsel to the King and Minister of Justice and Education.  It is fair to say that Kenthao acquired his deep sense of devotion to his homeland from his ancestors.  Indeed, he himself served his country with great distinction and honor for many years.

Kenthao was the second of three sons born to Pitou de Monteiro and Lean Khao. He was a free-spirited young man who loved life and loved to party.  In attempting to instill in him some discipline and direction, he was sent to France to be educated and told not to come back until he earned a degree with which he could serve his country.  Sure enough, Kenthao made his parents proud by earning a political science degree from the University of Toulouse and a law degree from the University of Paris. 

Upon his return, he worked as a law professor and journalist and later rose through the ranks of civil service.  He held many posts, starting out as a judge, a congressman, Minister of Education, Vice-President of the National Assembly, a Chargé d’Affaires in the Philippines, Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Egypt, and Taiwan.  Among the many honors he received throughout his distinguished career, he was most proud of the one bestowed upon him by French President Charles de Gaulle: Commander of the French Legion of Honor.

Kenthao was a well-read and cultivated person. His knowledge of literature and philosophy was most impressive.  He often used quotations from poets and philosophers from Persia and the Arab world such as Saadi and Omar Khayyam to French greats such as Mauriac and Sartres.

We shall miss him, his grace, his sense of humour and optimism.

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