Robin was pure light, a very rare type of person who radiates light, feeds you, and nourishes you intellectually and emotionally, to make you grow, to make you better. And his light has touched all of us who are gathered to pay him a tribute.

Robin was always helping and making you do things I was extremely fortunate to meet Robin about 20 years ago, when I was taking my first steps in the world of life sciences. I had an entrepreneurial background, but zero knowledge of life-sciences. I could not have survived in this jungle without him. He became my mentor, and had an infinite patience to explain the complexity of biology and medicine for so many hours, making it reachable by a poor lawyer’s mind as mine.

He was a key driver behind the creation of Eclosion in 2004, to help scientists that wanted to apply their discoveries, and became the Head of its Scientific Committee, a role he kept for 15 years. He was the best possible advocate for the projects, and what always struck me was his ability to renew his enthusiasm for any project with merit, as it was the first project, as it was the only project that he had ever reviewed. He made everyone feel really special.

For all of you that also knew him outside of the world of science, Robin also had a terrific sense of humor. The perfect British gentleman, always in understatements. And he had an energy impossible to resist, for laughs, and also for adventure, which is probably why I accepted to follow him diving in the dark and cold Lake Geneva, which I ultimately enjoyed only because I saw how happy it made him.

I feel fortunate to have been able to spend time with Robin, to enjoy his light. Beyond all the fond memories, I will remember Robin as pure light, a light that helps others grow, a light that helped me grow. 

A light that is not lost, as it remains in all of us, and that is adding light somewhere else now.

Tribute to Robin Offord

You will be hearing of Robin’s academic life and work shortly but I am going to tell you about our friend ship since the family arrived in Geneva in 1980. Over the first years our wives met and socialised at school and later through the IWCN In Nyon. We had regular contact and this evolved into special times over the main Christian celebrations at Christmas and Easter which
continued for over 35 years sharing the normal vicissitudes of life. This continued until this last year when Robin’s illness prevented this from happening. The deaths of various family members on both sides have brought us closer together to the extent that we see other as extended family members with our children maintaining personal contact.

Robin was a remarkable man. He had a brilliant mind with unsurpassed knowledge on many many subjects, on which he could talk with authority and humility. Coupled with a great memory he was a great asset to any quiz team ! What characterised Robin was his quiet demeanour and humble attitude to life.He never complained about others and had a very open and respectful approach to those he met. He treated people equally and honoured them in their context. He listened carefully and was able to contribute to many a person’s life with judicious words of advice or comfort.

He was generous in sharing knowledge, his talents and his time. On one occasion we had a leak in the basement of our house of heating oil which resulted in damaging a collection of 19th century hymn books. Robin and Valérie came to visit. Without saying much over what we could do he quietly consulted with experts in the U.K. what solvent could be used to clean the
books. We spent several Saturdays together cleaning the books page by page very successfully. His making such a commitment was much appreciated but not unusual. On another occasion a Swiss friend who ran a diving club, fell ill and asked Robin if he could take some classes for him. He did so willingly and ended up running the club for several years,
Although I must add Valerie found it a headache storing wet and dry suits every week ! Another illustration of his generosity and commitment to sharing.

He had a special gift in languages and he was known for that when at Oxford. From Geneva, he once organised a diving holiday in the Red Sea and decided it would be useful to speak Egyptian Arabic . He taught himself the language within six months, in time to be able to discuss with the crew of the boat he had hired. It proved very useful when an accident occurred later in the trip. My daughter and husband went on that trip and told me ofhis invaluable help to the crew and authorities with his Arabic.

Over the years we spent many meals together as families and our children had great friendships together. It became a tradition to spend Christmas New Year and Easter holidays together having up to 14/15 people at a time. Out of a great generous and loving heart many people celebrated in their home, from work colleagues (who will forget 1st August celebrations on the Lake !) to church friends and no one was left out on their own. Robin also loved music, especially folk music and was an accomplished guitar player. He especially appreciated folk music and he particularly appreciated Gaelic music and we would sometimes get together to perform on church activities. We always ended up composing some funny ditties or songs.

All this was driven by a desire for justice, particularly in the field of health. On his supposed retirement he established the Mintaka foundation. If you have not heard of this I urge you to read the web page which explains why it was founded, to bring more justice into a world of much injustice in the field of médecine . He was passionately committed to bringing about positive change. All this was accompanied in a gentle, quiet and yet persistant way.
Above all, Robin can be described as a man of integrity. His life was based on the principles of his faith which he quietly practised. He was a man of patience- yet persistent, a man of purpose and sincerity, a man of creativity and courage, a man of love and loyalty......

Thank you Robin for such an inspiring example !

Playing the Guitar, graduating from Cambridge and filming at Pontins Holiday Camp.

So grateful that 2 years ago Dad and I tracked down the only recordings of him singing and playing the guitar. We made it together when I was 10 years old. I would like to share one of the tracks here, there are 9 in total, do let me know if you would like me to send them to you.
Thank you to Simon Bray for digitalising them for Dad/Robin.

I was saddened to learn of Robin's passing. I did not know him well, but was privileged to meet him at a few coffee gatherings after the Holy Trinity Sunday service, and on one visit to his and Valerie's home.  This brief exposure allowed me to appreciate what a remarkable person he was, and share in a feeling of loss at his passing.
My condolences to Valerie and his family.
Al Goshaw

As in everything Robin did, he enriched all endeavors with his extensive knowledge, skill, and professionalism. Robin became a member of the American Peptide Society in 1991. He held the position of Secretary of the Board from 2003-2007 and 2007-2011. He was a member of the Executive Committee from 2011-2017 and was the President of the Board from 2013-2015. In 2005, he was the recipient of the Rao Makineni Lectureship which recognizes an individual who has made a recent contribution of unusual merit to research in the field of peptide science. In 2017 at the APS Conference held in Whistler, B.C. Canada, Robin was recognized by APS President Phil Dawson for Robin's  contributions to the American Peptide Society. The recognition read "In recognition of your outstanding and continuous service to the American Peptide Society. Through leadership, scholarship and mentoring, you have strengthened and enriched our society." Robin was always an avid supporter of Young Investigators. 

Robin became a member of the Board of Trustees for Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies (TPIMS) in 2005. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 2009. During his tenure with TPIMS, the institute grew to become an internationally known bi-coastal research organization.

The day we said goodbye. Fare thee well Dad