tissa kappagoda was born in sri lanka in 1943.
He grew up in Kandy, the home of Sri
Dalada Maligawa (The
Temple of the Tooth), one of the most
sacred places of worship in
the Buddhist world. His Buddhist practice
shaped
his outlook on life and was reflected in
his calm
and gentle demeanor. He was educated at
Trinity
College, Kandy and University of Ceylon
from
which he received his medical degree in
1965 at the
age of 22. He left in 1966 but always
considered Sri
Lanka home and felt a deep love for the
country and
its people, returning over the years to
visit friends and family and
impart his love of learning to students.
He undertook postgraduate training in the
United Kingdom,
earning a PhD in 1972 from the University
of Leeds and
remaining as a Lecturer in Cardiovascular
Studies. He later
moved to the University of Alberta, Canada
where he was a
Professor of Medicine and Director of
Cardiac Rehabilitation at
the Health Sciences Center in Edmonton. In
1990, he came to
the University of California Davis as a
Professor of Medicine and
Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation. He
also served as Director of
Clinical Trials and was later responsible
for the Coronary Heart
Disease Reversal Program. He maintained an
active research
program, focusing on neural regulation of
the heart and
circulation, dietary factors in the
development of atherosclerosis
and the physiology of blood vessels. He
was a Fellow of the
Royal College of Physicians of London,
Edinburgh and Canada,
a Fellow of the American Heart Association
and the American
College of Cardiology. His contributions
to cardiovascular
science both as an investigator and a
teacher were great but
should not overshadow that he was also a
caring physician
devoted to the welfare of all patients.
He never lost his delight in what he
referred to as “life’s rich
pattern,” and his varied hobbies attest to
his wide-ranging
intellect. He was always up-to-date about
the world cricket
standings; relished debates about the
finer points of Sri Lankan
and world politics; had an encyclopedic
knowledge of British
mysteries and kept his daughters updated
about critical
current events such as Justin Bieber’s
brushes with the law. An
accomplished artist, he spent hours
creating delicate watercolors
of traditional Sri Lankan scenes. He
enjoyed visiting art
museums and attended many art classes and
workshops here and
abroad, always willing to learn new
techniques from other artists.
He will be remembered for his kindness,
patience, wisdom
and humor.
welcome
Shanthi Kappagoda
blessing
Venerable Madawala
Seelawimala Mahathera
remarks
Nihal Kappagoda, Dianne Hyson,
Indika Edirisinghe, Sharon Myers,
Linda Paumer and Ezra Amsterdam
song
Doug Cort
individual remembrances
from family and friends
All present are encouraged to
share their favorite stories of Dr. K
as we gather to celebrate a life
well-lived.
closing
Manel Kappagoda, Poem:
“My Father” by Yehuda Amichai
Please stay after the formal program
to enjoy a light lunch.
A Delight in
“Life’s Rich
Pattern” Celebrating
the Life of
Chulani Tissa
Kappagoda
The Alumni Center at the
University of California, Davis
Sunday, March 29, 2015
10:00 to Noon
L K
Tissa’s family would like to
acknowledge the love and
kindness shown to them during
this difficult time. Thank you
for being here today and
sharing your memories.
People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how you made them feel.
—Maya Angelou
