Etienne Kasonga Bote-Tshiek (Papa Tshiek), age 78, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2021. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Congo, the Communaute au Congo (CPC) and the Communaute Presbyterienne a Kinshasa (CPK). He received his primary school education at American Presbyterian Congo Mission (A.P.C.M.) Lubondai and attended the Ecole Secondaire Unie (E.S.U.) de Katubue for his secondary schooling. His university studies started at Lovanium University in Bukavu, and continued at State University of New York in Potsdam, NY where he earned his B.A. in Development Economics. He received his masters degree in Development Economics at American University in Washington, D.C. (Dec. 1976). His work experience started in 1968 and 1973 as a French, music, and economics teacher at his alma mater. He went on to work as a bank manager at Grindlays International Bank in Kinshasa, then as an administrative and financial manager for Keydrill Co., Gulf Chevron, Petrofina Oil Co. He also worked for CPA textile Co. in Kinshasa. His work experience in the DRC lasted for more than 17 years. Papa Tshiek was a devoted Christian who spent most of his time involved in church activities such as feeding the poor and hungry on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Congo, and it is the aforementioned ministry work that prompted the church to invite him to become a missionary for PEVA. He joined the staff at the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia (PEVA)-PCUSA June 15, 1993 as a Mission Interpreter and thereafter Mission Facilitator, a point person in charge of leadership and development of programs and guidelines for PEVA International Partnership
Committee (IPC) and its subcommittees. During his 18 years of work and ministries in PEVA, he planned and led several mission trips throughout the PCUSA for the promotion of Congo partnership ministries, which laid the groundwork for what became the Congo Mission Network Group and served to strengthen ties between PEVA churches and their Congolese sister church counterparts. Papa Tshiek was a staunch advocate for Democracy and equality in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and dedicated his life and time traveling, speaking, and lobbying for change in the country. He also had a deep love of christian music, and spent his spare time singing, composing, directing, and recording music. He could often be found singing for his church choir, and strongly believed in the power of music.
Papa Tshiek is survived by his wife of 50 years, Maman Regine Mbuyi Kadima-Tshiek and their 6 children: Jeanne Tshiek, Monica Kabasu, Kadim Tshiek, Mutanga Ntumba, Wangaja Tshiek and Noella Tshiek; 11 grandchildren: Sarah, Jonathan, Cherty, Balenga,Nsenki, Kadim Tshiek, Faith, Gabrielle, Mulume, Jasmine, children of close relatives, and the Congolese community of Hampton Roads, VA.

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 AM on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 AM. Burial will be in Peninsula Memorial Park.