Always had time for you. A lovely kind man

Peter was an enormous influence on my early career - he helped and encouraged me all the way. He made me believe in myself because he believed in me. It was admirable the way he set me on my path and stood back while offering encouragement - and introductions and opportunities. He invited Gill Bates and I to co-edit the 3rd edition of the Huntington's disease book and was very pleased when we went on to produce a 4th edition a few years ago. There is a new special issue of the Journal of Huntington's disease here http://bit.ly/JHD10-1 and the introduction includes a dedication to Peter. He will be much missed.

To use Pete’s name in the past sense makes NO sense. He has been in our family for over 50 years since marrying Elaine. We have been so lucky and so blessed to have known him all those years, and the feeling of LOSS is overwhelming. Most certainly ‘A light has gone out.’ It goes without saying just how much Pete has been both respected and revered for his life of extraordinary dedicated work-in research, lectures and writing...but from a personal point of view-for me, it is his human qualities that leave their mark, and will continue to do so for a long time to come. He cared deeply about people-his family above all else. He promoted humanity and equality wherever he went in the world. He loved music (perhaps not ALL music!) He had extraordinary knowledge and enthusiasm on so many subjects-wildlife in particular. Last demonstrated recently when I sent him a photo of a large moth (in Cornwall) which I couldn’t identify. Within minutes back came the answer along with an encouraging ‘You have got something quite special there’ comment. (A Convolvulus Hawk Moth as it so happens.) On reflection, his words sum up my own thoughts perfectly-we have certainly had ‘something quite special’ by having this lovely man in our lives all these years. Going for walks were always an education-often unknowingly! He quietly would refer to certain beetles, insects, plants birds..all by name. He was such a kind and generous man-always genuinely humble in his achievements, and bursting with interesting and often VERY funny stories from his world travels! I always thought the above would make for some fantastic TV series...but maybe it would not be so fantastic for Elaine trying to sort his wardrobe out? (Pete was NEVER a collar and tie man.) We all turned to him for advice, for reassurance, and simply relied on him just being there as a calm and strong ‘constant’. But inevitably a life has to come to a close, and all we can wish for him now is that he is surrounded by some good books, beautiful music...(of HIS choice!) Maybe the cry of an occasional buzzard to remind him of Draenenunig, an endless supply of Elaine’s homemade marmalade-and perhaps some Devonshire clotted cream-just because he can... On top of all that, some blissful peace and quiet. And in turn, when we see the first snowdrops appear, watch a buzzard circle overhead, see the birds nesting...without doubt we will be seeing Pete right there. My own personal vision imprinted in my head is seeing him-sitting in ‘his chair’ at the end of their kitchen table, eating his porridge, or his bowl of soup just quietly looking out onto the garden....being just exactly where he wanted to be, with his gorgeous gentle smile. To us, he was simply ‘Our Pete’ and will remain so. We were SO lucky to have had him in our lives. In return we say ‘Thank you Pete for letting us into YOUR’S’. With love and gratitude, From Kate.