TRIBUTE FROM DAVE WALKER Just to set the record straight: When Dawn needed extra lessons to get to university I approached Alex and asked if he would give them to her. He said, "No! I don't take girls. They are not really interested in learning. All they want to do is make eyes at you and get romantic ideas." I said, "No, really, my sister is not like that. Honestly." and I eventually persuaded him to give her lessons. After two weeks he started asking her out! One of Alex's many attributes was an amazing gift, whenever he interacted with someone, of being able to look past the outer trappings of age, gender, race or social status to see the real person that he was interacting with. I remember, even as a schoolboy with Alex as my master,-- and John has already mentioned the same thing -- I felt that I had someone who understood the real me -- someone that I could go to as a friend. John Osterberg and I were reminiscing the other day about a mutual friend at school who got into real trouble through a really silly prank. There was a distinct possibility that he would be expelled. As John and I were talking about it I recalled that I wanted to help my friend and the first person I thought of to go to, to intercede for on his behalf, was Alex. I think it is remarkable that a schoolboy should want to go to a schoolmaster to help, but I felt sure he would understand. And sure enough, he did. He put in a good word and our friend was disciplined, but not expelled. Because Alec had this ability to look past race, social status or anything else and see the value in everyone, he treated them all with respect and I loved hearing the way he spoke to his servants and the less fortunate, joking with them and retaining their dignity. As a brother-in-law I was full of admiration for the way Alex, with Dawn faithfully at his side, showed such concern and practical caring for so many people. Often when I came to stay, not only did I feel special, -- because Alex somehow found the subjects I was interested in to engage me in very knowledgeably, but he and Dawn were always dashing off here and there because, shame, poor Mrs so-and-so had had a fall and needed help, or someone at Speciss needed a special favour. Alex truly, in many ways laid down his life for others, especially in terms of time and effort and expertise. Many of us here have been the recipients of Alec's kindness and his deep interest in us personally and so I 'm sure you will agree that the Scripture reading the family has chosen is particularly appropriate. It is from Luke Chapter 10, from verse 25.