Port Moresby , Monday, 5 May 2025 – Family, friends, colleagues, and members of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) community gathered in solemn reflection today at the University Chapel to honour the life of the late Aetau Silas — a man remembered for his quiet strength, steadfast dedication, and gentle presence across five decades of service to the institution and country.
Delivering a heartfelt eulogy, eldest son Eddison Silas paid tribute to a father whose humility and loyalty left an indelible mark on everyone who crossed his path.
“Dad could relate to people from all walks of life,” Eddison said. “He was an empathetic man. He looked for the good in each person – and usually found it.”
Born on 26 April 1956 in Buhalu village, Labuta LLG, Bukawa, Morobe, Aetau Silas was the second of seven siblings born to Silas Kamungsanga Yaluc and Rebecca Yapu Yalamu. His early education spanned various primary schools in Morobe Province, before completing secondary education at Bumayong Lutheran High School between 1970 and 1973.
In 1974, he received a Certificate in Electronics from Lae Technical College, opting to begin work immediately despite having been accepted to the then-new University of Technology. He worked with Blackwood Hodge and later with Steamships Trading Company as an apprentice radio technician.
His journey at UPNG began in 1975 when he joined the Audio Visual Department. It was there that he met his future wife, Tapia Nagong, from Butibam, who was then completing her studies at the Papuan Medical School (now the College of Allied Health Sciences). The couple went on to raise five children: Eddison, Jephtha, Bingmalu’o, Silas Jr., and Timothy.
In the mid-1980s, Aetau transferred to the Language and Literature Laboratory within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he remained a loyal staff member until his passing—a remarkable 50-year commitment to the university and its students.
“He dedicated himself to serving the University not as a job, but as a commitment,” Eddison said. “His actions carried the weight of his values—honesty, perseverance, and quiet excellence.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Aetau Silas was cherished by his family as a devoted father and a deeply loving grandfather. His grandchildren, Eddison shared, were a source of pure joy, and he gave them not just his time, but also his wisdom, warmth, and heart.
Mourners at the service spoke of his trademark smile — gentle and full of sincerity — as a powerful reflection of his kind nature.
“Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the lives he touched, and the love he shared,” Eddison concluded. “His humility, his loyalty, and his silent yet powerful impact will forever be remembered.”
Aetau Silas’ life was not marked by headlines or accolades, but by the everyday acts of care, dedication, and kindness that shaped the university community and the family he loved so dearly.
He is survived by his wife, five children, grandchildren, and a grateful academic community that will long remember his quiet but profound presence.
“Rest peacefully, Papa. Your life was a testament to the beauty of quiet strength.“