For Derek
Last year I gave him 2 books. One about the construction by Brunelleschi of the dome on the Duome in Florence, the other about Michaelangelo’s achievement in painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. He read them both and announced to me that he would have to find time, maybe this year, to visit both places.
Just consider, those of us who are local residents. We have known Derek for 4 or 5 years and during most of that time his body was under seige. Yet, amongst the most significant characteristics that we shall remember will be his cheerfulness and his good humour. That is indeed testament to his resolve and courage.
Derek was an educated and cultured man. A man of wide rangng interests. A man who you would want in your team at anything from a Quiz night to University Challenge. In particular he had a love of good literature (Shakespeare was always a close companion) and was never happier than when he had his nose in a good book . BUT, not just this. He himself was also a writer. On one occasion he leant me a copy of his novel “Unnatural Acts” saying, with typical modesty and self deprication that it really wasn’t up to much and I really shouldn’t trouble myself to read it all. Of course, I was slightly disconcerted by the title, but I need not have worried. He had produced an elegant and thoroughly researched novel, embracing matters such as genetic manipulation of plants, complex computer programming and politics. Not bad for an English graduate !!
Following a Damascine moment, he recently expressed a desire to delve deeper into the realm of classical music. I lent him a few CDs and to keep him occupied 3 volumes on the life of Beethoven. He embarked upon his task with enthusiasm, eventually e-mailing me to say (and I quote)
“ Just a line to say how well the music is going down. I’ve started the Biography and go forward into volume 2 with a deaf composer on my hands. I listen again to the string quartets and, of course, Beethoven, as always, is checking on me and not the other way round.” I just loved Derek’s perspicacity and ability to coin the perfect phrase.
It is much to my regret but probably to Derek’s benefit that he has managed to evade the next project……The Life and Works of Richard Wagner. I guess he knew that they were coming !!!
I could speak on and on about this remarkable, big hearted man. Magnificent at a Halloween party dressed as Count Dracul…..as if he had just stepped out of an opulent Holbein portrait. Patrolling his domain abord his tractor. Waging war against the local insurgents in the shape of sanglier and small rodents. Though being Derek I’m sure he didn’t mean them any ill will. He was utterly devoted to his family. He was ecstatic to become twice a Grandad… and in fairly rapid succession and enjoyed relating tales of their progress to any willing listener . He exuded warmth and congeniality. Sadly, he came late into most of our lives and I know that I speak for all in saying that we wish we hade known him longer.
May I conclude with a quote from his beloved Shakespeare. I’m sure Derek would approve. From Julius Caesar
From somewhere in
the bowels of what was once the ACIP room in Le Bugue would come a resonant
cough (or was it a clearing of the throat?). The key was E flat. An heroic
key. A key which befitted an heroic
man. This grand bronchial explosion
signified the prelude to another exchange in the ongoing battle with our
amiable and long suffering French professeur.
The rest of the
class, still struggling to master the present tense, was alerted and awaited
the inevitable opening salvo. Now, this
invariably took the form of a grilling on the use of the indirect object or a
eulogy on the beauties of the Pluperfect tense as exemplified by the English
language. The professeur parried
with gracious ablomb. And so the
exchange progressed across the demilitarised zone which was, of course, the
rest of the class, until a ceasefire was announced and the two antagonists
retired in a most gentlemanly manner.nNow, why this you
ask yourselves? Well, this cameo tells
us three things about Derek. Heroism. Love of the English
Language and its Literature and he
was, indeed a true English gentleman.
Firstly I mentioned
heroism. Derek displayed a remarkable degree of courage during his long drawn
out and personal battle with his health. As Isaac Asimov once said
Life is pleasant.
Death is peaceful.
It’s the transition
that is difficult.
Last year I gave him 2 books. One about the construction by Brunelleschi of the dome on the Duome in Florence, the other about Michaelangelo’s achievement in painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. He read them both and announced to me that he would have to find time, maybe this year, to visit both places.
Just consider, those of us who are local residents. We have known Derek for 4 or 5 years and during most of that time his body was under seige. Yet, amongst the most significant characteristics that we shall remember will be his cheerfulness and his good humour. That is indeed testament to his resolve and courage.
Derek was an educated and cultured man. A man of wide rangng interests. A man who you would want in your team at anything from a Quiz night to University Challenge. In particular he had a love of good literature (Shakespeare was always a close companion) and was never happier than when he had his nose in a good book . BUT, not just this. He himself was also a writer. On one occasion he leant me a copy of his novel “Unnatural Acts” saying, with typical modesty and self deprication that it really wasn’t up to much and I really shouldn’t trouble myself to read it all. Of course, I was slightly disconcerted by the title, but I need not have worried. He had produced an elegant and thoroughly researched novel, embracing matters such as genetic manipulation of plants, complex computer programming and politics. Not bad for an English graduate !!
Following a Damascine moment, he recently expressed a desire to delve deeper into the realm of classical music. I lent him a few CDs and to keep him occupied 3 volumes on the life of Beethoven. He embarked upon his task with enthusiasm, eventually e-mailing me to say (and I quote)
“ Just a line to say how well the music is going down. I’ve started the Biography and go forward into volume 2 with a deaf composer on my hands. I listen again to the string quartets and, of course, Beethoven, as always, is checking on me and not the other way round.” I just loved Derek’s perspicacity and ability to coin the perfect phrase.
It is much to my regret but probably to Derek’s benefit that he has managed to evade the next project……The Life and Works of Richard Wagner. I guess he knew that they were coming !!!
I could speak on and on about this remarkable, big hearted man. Magnificent at a Halloween party dressed as Count Dracul…..as if he had just stepped out of an opulent Holbein portrait. Patrolling his domain abord his tractor. Waging war against the local insurgents in the shape of sanglier and small rodents. Though being Derek I’m sure he didn’t mean them any ill will. He was utterly devoted to his family. He was ecstatic to become twice a Grandad… and in fairly rapid succession and enjoyed relating tales of their progress to any willing listener . He exuded warmth and congeniality. Sadly, he came late into most of our lives and I know that I speak for all in saying that we wish we hade known him longer.
May I conclude with a quote from his beloved Shakespeare. I’m sure Derek would approve. From Julius Caesar
Therefore
our everlasting farewell take forever,
And
for ever, farewell.
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile.
If not, why then, this parting was well made.
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