Cultural observer Dick Hartoko dies<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Former editor of the respected Basis cultural
\nmagazine, Dick Hartoko, 79, died here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Dick who was also a scholar and a Catholic priest was buried
\nin Ungaran on Sunday.<\/p>\n
A prolific writer, Dick had written many books and translated
\nManunggaling Kawula Gusti (union with God), a dissertation by
\nZoetmoelder, a renowned scholar of Javanese culture and a fellow
\npriest.<\/p>\n
Dick is best remembered for his column Tanda-tanda Zaman
\n(signs of the times) in Basis, a magazine he edited from 1957 to
\n1995.<\/p>\n
He also lectured at Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University,
\nState Academy of Islamic Studies (IAIN) Kalijaga and Indonesian
\nFine Arts Institute (ISI). In later years he also wrote articles
\nfor Bahana magazine.<\/p>\n
Dick who had been staying at Ernaus old folk's home in Ungaran
\nfor three years was admitted to the hospital after he fractured
\nhis spine when he fell from his chair. He underwent an operation
\nand regained consciousness only after several days.<\/p>\n
In July he typed the following words into his cherished manual
\ntypewriter: "When I arrived in Ernaus, I had to make a choice
\nbetween whether I have to live as a Napoleon in St Helena or Arie
\nSmit (painter) in Kuta beach. I chose the later. Let the waves
\nroar, that is the sign of life. I don't want to die without doing
\nanything. In the morning, after reading the newspapers I go to
\nthe library to read the latest magazines and then go to my room
\nto type my articles for Bahana magazine. I don't want to live
\nlike a vegetable. I want to be continually productive like Romo
\nZoet (Zoetmoelder) who continued to write until he was 75 years
\nold."<\/p>\n
When the Post visited Dick at his sick bed a few days ago,
\nDick said that as soon as he recuperated he wanted to make a
\nvisit to Jatiroto, a town in East Java, the place where he was
\nborn of Javanese and Dutch parentage.<\/p>\n
Not very long time ago, he related the following story to the
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Dick attended a gathering in the past, organized by the
\ngovernment-backed Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI)
\nattended by former president Soeharto, where he was present
\nrepresenting Basis magazine.<\/p>\n
The president shook his hand saying: "So, here is Romo
\nMangun." The former president was known for his dislike of Romo
\nMangun, a Catholic priest who fought for the fate of displaced
\nvillagers of Kedung Ombo. Dick just kept silent.<\/p>\n
Apart from being a scholar and cultural observer, Dick was
\nalso known for his work for the poor and the homeless. (53\/hbk)<\/p>",
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