David CHOWN

I first met Dave, when he took over as my boss in Cyprus just before the Coup & Turkish invasion. My first impressions were of a big man, with a big sense of humour, and a big personality. During the following days, weeks & months I learned to respect his professional skills and we bonded. We made a good team and our families became lifelong friends.

We kept in touch and experienced similar wartime challenges and successes in our separate work in former Yugoslavia.

Although we often chatted via social media, our homes were physically miles apart. I last met Dave, Michèle & Ria in 2014 in Estepona, Spain. We just continued our discussions where we had left off.

I have kept in touch with the whole family and now, living in Germany, it has been so much easier to meet in person.

Although I was sad to lose a friend of 50 years, having nursed my mother through dementia, I was relieved to hear that my friend had passed peacefully. Luckily, through continued contact with his family, we will be able to keep him alive through shared experiences.

I was sorry not to be able to attend the funeral service, but proud to have been able to support them with preparations. And I was certainly there in spirit.

Unfortunately photographs are few, but I attach one taken in Cyprus in 1974. R.I.P my friend xx

Deepest sympathy to Dave's family. Fran and I have many happy memories of our times spent with Dave in Dortmund and other places.

On behalf of the Bordeaux British community our sincerest condolences to all David’s family. We have very fond memories of our fun times together. He will me missed and never fogotten,
Brian Mason President.

Nous avons appris cette nouvelle avec tristesse, Jonathan ce joint à moi pour vous présenter toutes nos condoléances et courage dans cette épreuves difficiles.

Toutes mes condoléances à Michèle et toutes la famille.

Roger

Qu’il est difficile de trouver quoi dire sans tomber dans les formules de circonstance qui te ressemblaient si peu ! Je pense à toi, à nos séjours chypriotes, à ton humour « so british », si pince sans rire. On a bien ri tous ensemble, on a bien bu, on a bien mangé, on a vécu quoi…
Embrasse tous ceux qui t’ont précédé et qui nous manquent tant. Je te garderai dans un petit coin de mon cœur.
Quant à vous Michèle, Bribri, Ria et Ianto, je pense fort à vous et vous serre très fort dans mes bras. Courage et affection.

Dear Michele. Geoff and I send you our condolences. We were so sorry to hear about Dave's death and have been sharing our memories of happy times we spent with you in Germany and France. He was such a kind, funny and warm man and a very talented linguist. He will be much missed.

Cher David je te souhaite in bon voyage au Paradies , je suis sur que tu es la en haut et nous regarde avec un petit sourire un verre de Ricard à la main , tu nous manque déjà et nous pensons toujours à toi avec des bons souvenirs, éclat de rire, des bonnes bouffes , des bons moments , bon voyage David