Dear Jill,
Please will you convey my condolences to Philippe’s family and close friends. It was a terrible shock to hear the tragic news of his death. As you know, I worked in the lab with Philippe for four years (1990-1994), so knew him very well. He was a very special person who brightened and enriched all our lives. He was so full of fun and life. His talent for arousing even the most quiescent of people and for being completely frank was unique, yet was combined with a sensitivity that was not always obvious! He very rapidly became a central figure in the lab, and leaves a gap that will not be filled. We will all miss him, and be unable to forget him.
Jill
Dr. Jill Saffrey, PhD
Dear Annie,
Sorry for the delay in a reply but I have been thinking what to write for Philippe’s book. I cannot tell you how sad it makes me every time I think about it.
I have thought about it a lot and finally decided that I could not relay what I felt, adequately. So instead, I have written a quote from a French book that is very special to me.
Atossa
For Philippe,
The little prince asked: “ A sheep. If it eats bushes, does it eat flowers too?”
-“ A sheep eats everything it comes across.”
Little Prince: “ Even flowers with thorns?”
-“Yes, even flowers with thorns.”
Little Prince: ”Then the thorns, what use are they? And if I know a flower which is unique in the world, and grows nowhere other than my planet, and that a small sheep can destroy it with just a single bite, just like that, one morning, without even realizing it, is that not important?
…and he could say no more for he was overcome with tears.
From The Little Prince by St. Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Little did I realize what a big impact the “small Frenchman” would have on my life when he came through the lab doors in 1989. for the next 11 years I would have the privilege of working with one of the most incredible people I have ever known.
Philippe was unique. Truly a one-off. He was funny, impulsive, open, stubborn, loud, helpful, naughty, mad, clever, friendly- there just aren’t enough adjectives to describe just how he was. He made working with him a pleasure - he was a practical joker, an organizer of parties and BBQs, a computer whiz, and a great cook. He was disruptive, rude, but never offensive. Straight-forward yet complex. So English, yet so French. He animated other people around him and enriched their lives, and I count myself exceptionally fortunate to have been one of those people.
I will never again meet a person like Philippe and I shall miss him greatly but he will never ever be forgotten.
It was like an ice storm hitting me on a sunny summer day, when I read your news about Philippe’s untimely and tragic death. It hurts very much. He was such a lively person with a great sense of humour and his “very French” nonchalance eased so many tensions in this strenuous life. I will always remember him fondly.
Ute Groschel-Steuaet.
Dear Prof.G. Burnstock, Annie, and all ANI members!
I have just heard about Philippe’s death and it was a real shock for me. He was one of the best men, a loyal friend and a hearty companion. I have always admired Philippe’s optimism, sense of “french” humour, and high standards of science. I am very, very grieved and I feel that I have lost a very good friend. Maybe this letter inadequately expresses my sorrow, since I mean far more than I am able to write. Could you convey our sympathy to Philippe’s mother and father and Hannah. Our whole family mourns with you.
Gennady
Gennady G. Yegutkin, PhD
Medicity Research Laboratory
University of Turku
Finland
Dear Annie,
It was most unexpected and sorrowful news. We are still in shock from the news and cannot believe that Philippe has passed away. He has been the most vivid and charming person in Prof.’s group, full of joy and love.
Please convey our condolences to Philippe’s family and friends. We will be missing him, terribly, as a good friend, a talented scientist and the most charming man.
May God claim his soul.
May 24th will be a very sad day for us and we will pray for him.
Your sorrowful friends,
Mila, Lubo
Prof. Lubo KasakovProf Mila Vlaskovska
Institute of PhysiologyExperimental pain and drug addiction Res. Lab
Bulgarian Ached. of SciencesMedical University of Sofia
BulgariaBulgaria
Dear Prof. Burnstock,
I am shocked to hear of the sudden death of Philippe. He was a very nice and kind person. I remember him making the lab lively by creating a good working atmosphere and trying to make everyone feel at ease. His death is a great loss to everyone who knows him.
May God give comfort to his family and the Group!
With my best regards,
Dr. Mekbeb Afework,
Dept. of Anatomy
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Dear Prof., Annie and friends,
It was a shock to have an awful message from you about Philippe.
We can’t imagine that one of the most life-enjoying person in our group has passed away…
All our family is in deep sorrow.
Please give our condolences to Philippe’s parents, Hannah and her parents.
Love,
Airat, Lilia, and the family.
Xxx
Prof. Airat Ziganshin and Dr. Lilya Ziganshina and family
Dept. of Pharmacology
Kazan Medical University
Kazan
Russia
Dear Annie,
I am shocked, poor Philippe…London will not be the same without him. Tim arrived safely. Write to you again soon, I am too sad now.
Love, Monica
Dear Annie,
You cannot imagine how sad Alvaro and I are about the loss of Philippe and how often he has been in our minds in those days.
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to write something, but be sure I will never forget this very special human being.
Please send my love to Jill, Dave and Eamonn and tell them that my heart will be with them in France on May 30.
How is Geoff and how are you?
Love, Monica
Dr. Monica Brauer
Cell Biology Division
Instituto Clemente Estable
Montevideo
Uruguay
Dear Prof,
Somehow, I still can’t believe that someone so full of life is dead- a dreadful waste and a great tragedy. Please raise a glass to him for me.
Best Wishes,
Candy
Dr. Candy Hassall
The Welcome Trust
London, UK
Dear Annie,
The news about Philippe was a terrible shock. Gill had also sent an email about the accident. I have thought about this so many times in the past few days and just very difficult to accept that it has happened. As you know, we had many scientific and social interactions during my visit to the ANI. He was a wonderful colleague and friend---a great personal loss for all of us and a major loss for the research programs of the ANI.
I would like to send a sympathy note to Hannah and to Philippe’s parents. Could you send their addresses?
Best Regards,
Chet.
Prof. Chet de Groat
Dept. of Pharmacology
University of Pittsburgh
PA
USA
Dear Annie and dear Geoff,
I have been reading your message several times over and over again because I simply could not believe it was true. It is very sad news indeed. Philippe was so full of life and such a wonderful and lively person that I cannot realize that he won’t be there the next time I come to visit you in London. I know that Alex will be shocked as well, since he will never forget his ‘games’ with his old friend Philippe. Life can be really tough sometimes.
If we send you a message, would you be able to share it with the other friends of the department on May 24?
Maria
Prof. Maria Abbracchio
Inst. of Pharmacological Sciences
Milan
Italy
Dear Annie,
I am crying and I am so sorry that I am unable to write any words. I am waiting any future news about this tragic history.
Yours truly,
Gjumrakch
Dr. Gjumrakch Aliev M.D. Phd
Dept of Anatomy
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
USA
Hi Annie,
I am shocked… And do not know what I can say, just can’t believe it that Philippe won’t be making any more jokes and greeting me, when he sees me around. Although I didn’t work with him, I always enjoyed his sense of humour.
Linda’s group members are shocked as well, I just told them what happened.
I sympathize with the group and wish everyone, particularly Hannah, that you can accept what happened and keep Philippe among our best memories, as we have known him.
All my best wishes,
Bernadett
Bernadett Kalmar
Biorex Research and development Company
Budapest,
Hungary
Dear Prof.Burnstock, Annie, Andrew and everyone!
I was shocked and saddened to read this dreadful email.
When I was in your lab, and sat near Philippe, I told him over and over again, how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle or his bike. He always answered me that his bike is his life, and he loves his bike more than anything in the world, and he can’t live without it.
I’m very sorry about what’s happened.
Please send Philippe’s family my heartfelt condolences on their great loss.
With great love,
Sincerely yours,
Mara
Dr. Mara Shochina
Rehabilitation centre
Hadassah Medical School
Jerusalem
Israel
An Australian and a Frenchman
I worked in the laboratory of Prof. Geoffrey Burnstock in the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology at University College London as a visiting postdoctoral scientist from May 1995 to May 1997. It was during this time that I was lucky enough to meet and become friends with Philippe Bodin. We shared an office for probably the most rewarding and memorable two years of my life. Being in such close contact with each other for such a long period of time, we came to know each other very well. In two years I can remember laughing with Philippe many times but I cannot remember one angry word spoken between us, a major feat for any two people who see each other almost every day for such a long time.
He was thoughtful and kind-hearted. Philippe was friendly to me from the first time we met, as he was with all visitors to the department. Without fail, he always remembered how overseas visitors needed to feel welcome right from the start when they are so far from home.
He had a playful and childlike nature. I will always remember returning from holidays and entering the lab to find my desk had been removed and hidden so well that it took me a whole morning to find it. Upon returning from my next holidays, I found my desk where I had left it, but the desktop had been dismantled and removed! Books and papers had been strategically placed so that the desk appeared normal and I did nit realise what had been done until the strategically placed papers failed to hold up my cup of coffee!
He was French. Lunch had to be at least an hour long sit down affair and I learnt that unless a mess of food scraps and breadcrumbs had been left strewn across the table, a meal had not been enjoyed. Similarly, before one of our departmental Christmas banquets, he insisted that he, Dave Blundell and I first go to the pub for a few quiet pre-lunch Pernod aperitifs to get us warmed up.
Although always complaining of the arrogance of the French, he also took great pride in their footballing and other sporting triumphs.
He had a mastery of the English language. I will always remember his utter dismay at being picked as a Frenchman by a waitress after uttering a single syllable, “No”. My favorite memory of all though, was the way that whenever I said, “I can’t”, or “you can’t”, Philippe, would pop up with a, “Hey, what did you call me?”!
Philippe was an excellent scientist. Although I never actually collaborated with him, I saw him at work and he was technically brilliant with innovative ideas and unparalleled ethics. He was stickler for doing all things associated with his research well and in the correct manner. He was also the lifeblood of a dynamic world renowned research lab for many years.
He was passionate about motorbikes. This did not take ong to learn whenever anyone met Philippe. Somehow I get some small comfort from the fact that Philippe spent his last few moments on his beloved bike.
I made good friends during my time in London, but my fondest memories will always be of Philippe. I wish one day I could meet up with him again for a pint, but sadly I can’t. “Hey, what did you call me?”
Dr. Sab Ventura
Monash University
Australia
I will miss Philippe very much. Despite the fact that I have left the ANI, I still expect to see him at the parties. He was absolutely fantastic, and when we shared an office I was alwasys crying with laughter.
Philippe was a fantastic man because we would always have fun, but equally, I could talk to him about personal and serious matters.
Michelle Bardini
Philippe was the sunshine. He brought laughter to the lives of so many people. He has departed to win the next world. He will never be forgotten.
Rahima Crowe
A demain, tête de lapin!
Pam Milner
If God had created a Scottish Frenchman, he would be called Philippe Bodin.
We have shared several bottles of Laptioaig, Lagwishila and Talikar- most of all with haggis and neeps.
This boy could drink and his company was always agreeable.
To you and yours.
Dr Brian King