Dorothy and I first met Simon in 1970 when visiting Queen Victoria School in Fiji. We very soon became lifelong friends with both Si and Fran. Simon was always cheerful, and adventurous in everything he undertook. He had resilience and an infectious zest for life that was often full of surprises. To quote just one example: One evening shortly after meeting for the first time and at a dinner at our home in Fiji, Simon announced, “Bill. You are going to build a boat, and I have entered it into the ‘Suva to Levuka Launch Race’.” Such was his enthusiasm, that when I had recovered from the shock, I did build a sixteen foot open day boat, and we did take part in the race. Also thanks to Simon’s navigation skills we won the class for that size of boat. Simon was extremely fond of the sea and sailing and we spent several joyful holidays sailing to outlying Fijian islands with Si and Fran, aboard their twenty-eight foot catamaran ‘Pyewacket’. Since then both our families have spent holidays together in Singapore, Brunei, at their home in Auckland and again at Rainbows End, New Zealand and in the UK. Although in recent years we have been separated by vast distances we have remained in contact by letter, email and phone calls. Simon and Fran were two of the world’s most lovely people, and they are truly missed. William and Dorothy Birch. Southport

Simon, Fran and myself

A wonderfully talented and exciting father who taught me life is short, so make the most of it. Pops would never shy away from adventure and we grew up doing so, leaving lasting memories i cherish retell to my children. You will always be part of me Pops.