I was lucky enough to have spent a few years working in
Josh’s lab in the late 90’s.
For me it was rich and rewarding experience, full of
great memories with Josh, the semi-wild man from the south Jim Mertz, the ever
suave Jonathan Winawer, the diligent Chea-su Kee and all the other terrific
people who frequented the lab.
I will always remember the day Josh bought an espresso
maker. We all had a go making espressos
for everyone else so we could work out the best way to use it. After 5 or
6 espresso shots within about 10 minutes I went to
measure a few chicken and experienced an anxiety attack. While I was quietly melting down not really
knowing what was happening (I was not a coffee devotee at this point) Josh came
flying by, unable to stand still, sweating and said “wow I’m really flying
after all those coffees”. I still smile
when I think of it and it seems like it was yesterday, perhaps my coffee
induced panic burnt it into long term memory.
I learnt many things from Josh, like a love for fine and
unusual food, but it wasn’t until years later I realised what the most profound
lesson was. Josh’s integrity, openness
and deep passion for the work he loved seeped into my sole and inspires me for
the better every day. It will be to my
lasting regret that I never thanked Josh for the lasting and positive influence
he had on me, both as a person and a scientist. I just hope that ‘satisfaction
for a job well done’ was behind at least part of Josh’s smile whenever we met
in later years.
Josh, it is a testimony to your character that you left
so many loving friends behind. I will
miss you and the world is a much less interesting place without you.
Until we meet again, perhaps in the restaurant at the end
of the universe where I’m sure you’ll have built your new lab.
Marcus Howlett.
Amsterdam
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