A “comme il faut” leader is what people who knew him closely would say about İ. Şevki Figen who passed away on July 18, 2023 in Urla, Izmir, survived by his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
He was a civil engineer turned petroleum company general manager turned fats and detergents company general manager. He was a very distinctive professional who changed a conventional firm into a modern company. He was a “no-nonsense” type who was bitter/sweet in both professional and social life because he drew the line clearly between friendliness and formality. He was inspiring, encouraging and as such synergy-creating. He believed in teamwork and in delegating authority and holding responsible for the performance. He had a very colorful and many-sided personality. He was disciplined due to his background in German culture but was also pragmatic due his American culture background.
He naturally became the soul of groups he was present in with his witty remarks, skillful dancing and impersonation of languages which he didn’t speak at all, yet that sounded as if he was fluent in them. Finally, a few more apt adjectives and nouns: visionary, capable, self-confidence, very good memory, convincing, imposing.
Contributed by Güngör Kavadarlı RC 60 and Betil Kavadarlı ACG 64
Published January 2024
