Dear Ikenna I have so many thoughts and memories of your Dad. I first met him in the 1970s when he came to Ibadan to act as an external examiner for my department. He had recently returned from Zambia to become the head of Physiology at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. He wasted no time in trying to persuade my husband that it was time for us to leave Ibadan and return to Enugu. In his usual president and persuasive way he succeeded and we both took up posts with UNN in 1977. Over the past 35 years your Dad was, at various times, my mentor, boss, colleague, neighbour, friend and confidant. It was a very cordial relationship, although I can remember one or two occasions when he misunderstood something I had done or said that resulted in some cold spells! His energy and enthusiasm for Physiology in particular, but also for any project he embarked upon, never ceased to amaze me. As neighbours I remember him coming to my house at about 11.00pm one evening because of a new project he had decided upon that evening and he just couldn't wait until the next day to tell me about it. We socialised a lot together with some of our other colleagues. When my parents visited Nigeria in 1980 he entertained us all very lavishly in your house. The evening ended on a musical note with your Dad playing the piano while your Mum sang. Most afternoons we used to visit the UNEC staff club to drink a bottle of Star and a dish (or two) of goat pepper soup. He enjoyed the pepper soup so much that when he was appointed Provost of the College of Medicine at Anambra State University at Nnewi he took with him as his personal steward the person who prepared it for the Staff Club. The staff club was never the same again. Throughout his years overseas, in both Malawi and Papua, New Guinea we kept in touch. I will never forget the day, about ten years ago, when I got a call from your uncle James telling me that I must drop everything I was doing and come to his house to collect a book your Dad had left with him for me. I couldn't understand the urgency but I went to your uncle's house as directed. I was shown into the sitting room and waited in an almost eerie silence. Suddenly the door opens as in walks your Dad with a copy of his recently published book. He was supposed to be in Malawi! We celebrated the reunion with champagne and delicious chicken prepared by your uncle's wife. It was truly a day for me to remember and his textbook is now being used in many Physiology departments both in Nigeria and in many other arts of the world. I know that the last few years had been rough for him health wise. His two accidents had slowed him down physically and he became more withdrawn. When he was in the UK last year he texted me that he would be returning hope soon. I was devastated by the sad news of his demise. My memories of him will last forever. I miss him so much. Dr Joan F. Ude, Dept of Physiology, College of Medicine, ESUT, Enugu