GOODBYE DEAR NOOR RAHIM … YOU WILL BE MISSED AND YOUR VOID WILL BE HARD TO FILL
- A father figure, a great friend, a gentle giant and an officer and a gentleman, Noor R. Rahim was all these and much, much, more. He passed away peacefully today, on July 7, 2026.
He was The Sri Lankan Anchorman’s editorial consultant and contributed every month with interesting stories since the paper launched in 2002. Poems was his forte but Noor delved into other areas of interest as well with his vast knowledge on literally any topic. He loved photography too.
“Give me a subject or a few pointers to write on in your next issue,” he would ask me and my wife Michelle, when we used to visit his loving family at their warm and hospitable home in Scarborough.
Our Deepest Sympathies go out to Noor’s Loving family – husband of Marhooma Patricia Lye (Pat). Loving Dad of Ridwan and Romani. Father-in-law of Romona and Radshan. Much loved grandfather of Lyana.
May his beautiful soul rest in eternal peace
Here’s are a few excerpts of what Anver Kamiss wrote about Noor about a decade ago ….
He became the First Ceylon Malay Officer to qualify as a Qualified Flying Instructor on Helicopters in 1972. He was Commanding Officer of # 4 Helicopter Squadron from 1973 – 1976.
Bapak Noor Rahim was the First pilot to amass the milestone of 5000 Flying hours. His Career ended with well over 6000 hours of Service flying in the Air Force; on fixed & rotary wing aircraft.
He became the First Commandant of the Air Force Academy in 1976. He was the First Air Force Officer to follow a Command & Staff College Course in a Foreign Language in 1978/79. (Sekolah Staf dan Kommando ABRI bagian Udara).
Was the First Malay Officer to be appointed as the Military Coordinating Officer for the important Gampaha District during the Communal Violence in 1981. He became the Base Commander, Commanding the Main Air Force Base at Katunayake from 1979 – 1984. In addition was appointed as Commanding Officer of the Standards & Examining Wing of the Air Force from 1979 – 1981.
In addition to his flying duties he was a “VVIP” qualified Pilot on Fixed & Rotary Wing aircraft. He was the personal Pilot to the late Dudley Senanayake, Mrs, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Mr. William Goppalawa, J.R. Jayewardene and a host of other high ranking Politicians inclusive of Mr. R. Premadasa. One of the rare breed of heroes our community has ever seen!
In the field of sports, Bapak Noor was the First Malay to be in charge of Air Force & Defence Services Soccer; and also Air Force Cricket. See less
