Before christmas I was informed of the passing of a very good friend.
I first met Paul Smith via his Bulletin board ‘raytech’ in the late 80s. Over the next few years we conversed daily via the board, and telephone and I and my wife spent a christmas visiting with him and Claire at their home in Scotland. I look back on that christmas as a truly happy holiday with good conversation, good company and good food.
Pauls dry whit and fresh approach to any problem or topic was very welcome. I remember, a programming challenge that was set in a conversation at university, and the beauty, elegance and pure CHEEK in Pauls solution to it, when I told him about it. To this day, his solution is the one I remember, not my own more clunky way.
More recently we fell out of touch, and Claires phone call before christmas to relay the sad news of his passing left me floored. I had come to rely if not on regular contact, at least the background knowledge that such a person with such a mind was out there. Since the news, I have taken a while to get to the point where I could put these words down with any form of composure. I hope Claire forgives me the delay.
Paul, wherever you may be, I am confident that you are examining things and drawing your own conclusions sometimes with a wry grin, and other times with a scowl and a shake of your head.
Farewell Friend.