“George was as unpretentious a man as I've ever known. There was absolutely no brag in him. We've been friends for 42 years but in helping his children with the obituary a couple of weeks ago, I learned for the first time that George fought in the battle of the Rhine and as a result of his meritorious service, he was given a battlefield promotion and awarded a Bronze Star.

“In high-tension meetings with community-level people, he exuded such dignity and credibility that time after time I saw him walk into a roomful of people who had been bickering with each other, and walk out an hour later leaving everyone convinced that they could in fact work with each other for the common good.

“I never heard him raise his voice and I never knew him to be anything but respectful toward an employee, a business contact, or even someone who was trying to thwart the [North Carolina] Fund's goals.

“He fought all of his adult life for justice, equality, and economic opportunity for all people.

“I loved him, I learned from him, and in his passing I've lost a great friend and mentor.”

- Billy Barnes

“George Esser's willingness to stand up for social justice during the turbulent 1960s made him one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. It was my privilege to work closely with him on many projects for over 40 years. I could not have asked for a better friend.”

- Nathan Garrett

“What a man of vision and class! I felt honored to be in his company every time we got together.”

- Becky Anderson

“Mr. Esser was a good man. He was a real gentleman.”

- Ron Leeper

“George Esser was truly a statesmen, scholar and gentleman who brought all of his gifts and talents to the challenge of moving the justice question, the fairness question and the access to opportunity question forward with deep passion and a sharp intellect.

“Mr. Esser had a very wide reach of relationships and contacts that he used to assist the many organizations that he believed in. His understanding of governance, community economic development and the philanthropic community was one of the great contributions he brought to the groups he worked with. His work with the North Carolina Fund tilled the soil for the Initiative.

“As founding board chair, his wisdom, broad contacts and relationships helped to shape and define the Initiative in its infancy and growth during the early 90’s. We owe the greatest thank you and gratitude for his life’s work, and his shining example of excellence as a great American.

“All of North Carolina is better for George Hyndman Esser’s time on this earth, and I am a better individual because I was mentored by George… he was indeed an unsung hero. May God Bless him, his family and reunite him with his dear Mary.”

- Abdul Rasheed