Robert Captain Lyonga

It is with a heavy heart that I have put myself together to honor a friend and a father, Late R.C. LYONGA. R.C. as he was fondly called came to my life over twenty-five years ago when I was Team Manager of Victoria United Football (Soccer) Club. As a father, he enrolled my humble person as his son into Victoria Club.

Pa LYONGA, now of blessed memory incorporated me into the inner circle of his family to the extent of participating in major decisions concerning his family. I had never before been so honored since my stay in the City of Limbe. It was the wish of Pa Lyonga to learn the Mokpwe language, which we used to fondly refer and call ourselves “huweh”. In my sadness, I am honored and privileged to be at Pa Lyonga’s side during his dying hours.

R.C., you were such a simple man, down to earth with friends at all levels. May you have rest in the bosom of the Lord. Greet mammy for us, and all the faithfully departed. Adieu.

Written by Mr. Thomas Tchio (Son)

Unlike many who came to know their father in-law when they date their daughter or son, I am fortunate to have known my father in-law before I remotely knew his daughter and I would end up in marriage.

Knowing my father in-law as a kid gave me much inspiration. Inspiration to become successful as he was. Inspiration to do right professionally, spiritually, culturally, and above all in family life. Mola you taught me professional honesty and how to be a goal getter in life. You made me know that the profession of accounting must have integrity, and that people’s money must be secured and disbursed appropriately. That alone has made me became the man I am today professionally.

Besides my dad, you showed me how one has to love his family. The love you had for your wife until the last moment that you separated on August 11, 2013 trained me to love your daughter each passing day. I knew you as a man who knew how to say yes dear, and made your wife and daughters very comfortable. I learned through you and my dad (Late) how to practice this in my household and still have my dignity as a man.

Mola you gave me many fond memories, which will forever live in my heart. Your humor was such that only those who stepped in your territory would enjoy. The memories in Canada when we go to get bread at IGA grocery store, the memory when you picked me up at the Ottawa airport the night that the first Gulf war started as I hopped into your car and we drove home on August 2nd 1990. How we stayed up all night listening to CNN reporter Bernard Shaw relating the war live from his hotel in Bagdad. The fond memories when we ate with your friends and you made jokes like passing bills to them because they ate at Lyonga’s restaurant. The fond memories when you stood on the sidelines watching your Victoria United play. Above all the fond memory when I stood to asked for Dolly’s hand in marriage.

I am so privilege and thankful that you and we had our last loving conversation on Sunday August 19, 2018, when you were so worried about my foot surgery, and I told you that you gave me the best doctor as a wife who is taking good care of me, so you need not be worried. Your response came with a laugh and you said, “Thank God I gave her to you.” I am glad I gave you my thank you once again on that day. I am glad you expressed how much you love me to give me your daughter.

Mola as you have gone to sleep; I pray that you sleep well, and that God has mercy on your soul and accepts you into His kingdom. I know inhabitants of Heaven are having so much laughter given that you have brought your sense of humor there. As I promised your wife at her death and you in 2013, I will continue to take care of your daughters with love and kindness to the best of my ability.

Adieu Daddy.

By Shelly Mo-Lambe (Son in-law)

In my younger days in SASSE College, a bright and handsome “metice” touched and won my admiration. Little did I know that I would become a son of his abode. RC² as I fondly called them (Mr. & Mrs. R.C. Lyonga) referring to their names, Robert Captain and Rachel Celestine.

Sir R.C. Lyonga… Oh yes, he deserves to be called SIR. A man of few words, God fearing, loving and a father indeed. A true servant to his nation Cameroon, and to his ALMA Mata, SASSE College. Words can hardly describe who you were. You have left a stamp that will forever be remembered. Please do say hi to your wife Rachel of blessed memory and stay blessed in the arms of your GOD and Master Jesus Christ.

By Marshall Ngembus

Since you left, it has been so hard to come up with words to put together on paper. You left a big hole in everybody’s heart here in America, in Cameroon as well as across the world for those who knew and cared for you. I have come to terms that you are no longer herein the physical but your spirit lives on through all of us.

The last weekend of your life, though you laid sick as you had been some time ago, I still had hopes and believed that you will pull through and get well again. I kept trying to call, just to hear your voice say “mbombo, Dee, my Grandson, my son…” (as these were all the names you called me) or even teach me another Bakweri word as you did last year, but at times could not get through due to connectivity issues and others. Today, I wish I had called every week and not let everything else like school, work and personal life get in the way of hearing your voice. Now you are gone and I will not get that moment back. Life will never be the same without your physical presence, but I know you would want me to continue.

My dear grandfather, the man who gave me his whole name, THANK YOU! Thank you for living such a prestigious life. A life filled with examples for anyone looking up to you. A life that gave hope to a family to be great. A life that is there was such a thing as a “Hall of FAME for Living”, you would be first ballot pick. Thank you for being a great husband to my grandmother with whom you are now reunited in Heaven. Thank you for being an excellent father to my Mom and my Aunt. Thank you for not been judgmental and for accepting everyone who came across you with their flaws and all and for caring for them as if they were your own flesh and blood. Thank you for caring for my father as your own son and for loving Choco and I unconditionally as your Grandsons.

So Grandpa, I LOVE you and I promise to carry OUR name and make you pride. Say hello to my grandmother for me.

Sincerely,

Robert-Captain Dina Lambe (Your Namesake & Grandson)

Hello Grandpa, I know you cannot physically hear me but I know you can still hear my heart and I know you are watching me from heaven. Your death has left a big hole in everyone’s heart, mine included. It was not even up to 24hrs from the time we last spoke to you over the phone and then you were gone.

The memories when you were here in Texas will forever remain in my heart. The days when I use to help you with your eye drops, get your medicines, go for walks in the neighborhood and just sitting on the couch watching movies or the cartoon of my choice will forever be engraved in my heart. I remember that even when you were upset, you would not even raise your voice… I remember our talks about football and my position on the team. I remember when I tried to explain the game and you tried telling me to play soccer instead, lol. These things and many more, I will miss. And even when you traveled to visit Cameroon, the days when we will talk to you in the morning before going to school or when I stayed up late at night which was early in the morning there in Cameroon just to hear your voice will be forever cherished.

When Mom told me you were sick, had fallen, I never imagine the day will come when I will no longer have my Grandpa again. As your situation deteriorated, I thought if the worse happens, I will be ready but that was not the case. When the news of your passing came, I was shocked, anger and sad. As mom tried to make me understand, she said, “…grandpa is now with his beloved wife, Grandmother in heaven and that now I have two guardian angels in heaven to look over and protect me everywhere I go…” This made me feel a little better but I still miss you. With this, I would like to say THANK YOU for everything and I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, GRANDPA. I would not cry anymore for I know I have two amazing Grandparents as my very own protectors alongside our GOD in heaven. Thank you and I will miss YOU and GRANDMA forever.

Shelly M. Lambe Jr. aka Choco (Grandson)

Pam Pam was your name for me; no one else called me that but you. We will really miss you. Your voice will no longer be at the end of the phone. However, Daddy thank you so much for being the father to us, your adopted children. Muna, Hai, Ewande and myself will always cherish that special unconditional love you and Mummy showered on us. You were our Daddy from another sister, (as the kids these days say it), but that did not matter to you. As long as we all called you Daddy, you love was boundless. 

I do not remember any day you ever raised your voice or scolded to us, even when you were upset with our behavior, you always corrected us with such tenderness and care.  Boy, I am going to miss that so much, because God reached down from heaven and took you home. I can just imagine the laughter and jokes with Him and all your best bo's and Mummy up yonder. 

You will forever be in our hearts, Daddy! Adieu my Daddy, Adieu! Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Pam Pam Ebongalame Macaulay (your Daughter)

Mola Bob was very kind and just a fun person to be around. As a child, whenever I visited Limbe and he was in town, he would stop by to visit or made sure I came by his house, but he always got me bon-bons, which I loved at the time! I got to appreciate that link as I grew older. It was important to him, that I kept close ties with my paternal family, for which I am grateful. To me, he always exemplified the ideal father. May his soul rest in peace.

Ruth Mokeba Ekangaki (Niece)

I really do not know where to begin. You were more than everything the word “father’’ encompasses. I could not have asked for and you not have been a better Daddy to me than you were. It was always “Na”, “Natolo”, “Mama” and “that Bakweri” when I did something wrong. You were the softest-spoken and at the same time the funniest person ever. You always made sure I was alright, no matter what. I remember my PNEU days when the results of the Common Entrance Exam were out, you literally left your meal on the table just to drive me to school to check my name on the posted list. This is just one of the numerous examples of your unconditional love.  You also hated to see me cry! You would rather have our disciplinarian, mommy administer my punishment rather than you when I did something wrong that warranted discipline. You were a very loving, caring and a God-fearing Daddy. For the past five years without mommy, you always told me it was going to be all right despite your inner grief just to make me happy and keep my worries to a minimum. You kept me/us going, the house was quiet, but we kept on going with Mom’s memories. I still remember that fateful afternoon when I had to leave for the USA. We hugged each other, and you told me to continue the hard work. I promised to come back for a visit or see you when you came back to the USA.

When I heard about your illness especially when Feli (mama-o) mentioned you could not talk anymore, I was scared and my heart broke. As I spoke to you over the phone and later followed up with Feli who told me that all you could do was blink your eyes, I still believed you were going to pull through because you were a fighter. Feli was always by your side and she will always tell me, “Nat don’t worry Daddy will be fine”. Not till after my exams on that fateful Monday, August 27^th 2018 when I got multiple calls saying you were no more. Who do I go back home to now? You left without saying goodbye, Daddy. For sure I am going to MISS you very much. To you it is a reunion with mommy, but know your Na, Natolo and mama is now alone without her Daddy! LOVE YOU DADDY! Good night and rest in the Lord’s bosom.
Ms. Nathalie Ndedi Lyonga (Daughter)

Uncle, little did we know that on August 27^th 2018 God will call your name. In life we loved you dearly. In death, we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone for part of us went with you when God called you home. You have left us with beautiful memories and your love is still our guide. Uncle, though we will not be able to see you, we know you are still at our side. Our family chain seems to be broken and nothing seems the same. However, as God calls us one by one, the chain will once again be linked in the next phase. Uncle, Brother Mike, Mama Eli, Mola Toko, Aunty Epoupa are all waiting for you. Adieu Uncle.

By Louis Wacka (nephew)