My dear dear friend. You were a man of the most profound integrity, honor, intellect and capability.
You were a gift in my life. A treasure. Someone who is a beacon for what the best of the human spirit can be.
You were so capable and talented. Cambridge, Imperial College, chess champion, pianist, exceptionally talented writer, prolific reader, French speaker, athletic, strong, experienced hiker, gifted speaker and teacher, brilliant academic, incisive thinker with the ability to speak to the heart of any topic - to see the essence of something and make it meaningful, and so much more.
You were also kind, gentle and very patient with those who took a bit more time to get things. Your students loved you too.
You were a man of true character. A rarity. Something precious.
I loved your brilliant mind.
You reached the absolute height of our profession, not only because of your gifts, but because you were so committed to the success of others - your name is known far and wide for your dedication to helping others achieve their dreams, as well as for your prodigious output of high quality work. You never let your ego get in the way. You remained a deeply humble man. Also a rarity.
How hard you worked though! I almost gave up trying to get you to say no sometimes, but you were always there for everyone.
I loved also that sometimes you lost your cool in a meeting when someone was talking nonsense! You did not suffer b.s. and I adored you for that. That we were both not good in crowds, often felt panic and escaped from big events.
And how much you supported me! I loved to tell you and others that when you went into part retirement, I realised just how much I relied upon you to help me get things right... fix the errors in the handbook , read through to the end of an email so as to get the real gist of the message, get the grades in properly on our shared courses....I'm still making those mistakes without you.
How much you taught me about research and writing well and how generous you were in the work we did together!
I loved that I could always walk into your office and get the best possible answer or solution to a problem. That we could talk about art and music, literature, history, politics (of higher education lately as the main topic). That we learned a lot from each other. That you took me into the countryside for brilliant walks - that we went to classical concerts together and with Sarah. That you took me to see Sarah perform a brilliant solo on the flute.
How kind you always were and how much I enjoyed every moment of your company. How grateful too that you welcomed me into your family and that I was able to watch your beautiful girls grow up (even babysitting them for a weekend when I encouraged you and Jackie to go on your first ever holiday since the girls were born, only to have you call every hour!), and to become a good friend of Jackie's. I am far away, but I will do my best to support her whenever and where ever I can.
Your girls are spectacular products of you both - so talented, capable, decent, beautiful in mind and spirit. Dear Jackie - your special person for 46 years - remains your rock and heart. So lucky you were/are as your legacy lives on in them.
Mostly, thank you for being my friend. As I said, I am deeply blessed and I will look to you for guidance up there or where your are. You never knew how much you were loved, respected and admired (even though I told you often, you never believed me), but maybe somewhere, somehow the message will finally get through.
Keep looking down on me and helping me check my mistakes.
You will be with me always, dear friend.
Lynn
1st July 2021