I first met David when he came to Stevenage as part of his biochemistry degree work experience. I had my first job after my biochemistry studies and he ended up lodging/living in a house I had just bought in Hitchin. Renovations were the order of the day and we managed to live without heating for most of the winter of 1984/85! My parents were from Carlisle and we had separate but similar memories of holidays on the Solway Firth, fishing, Silloth slots, Allonby, Longcakes ice-cream... we hit it off and became good friends. We both ended up living around London and in October 1988 we had some holiday and decided to fly to Athens and spent a week in Paros. We had a great time and this was the holiday I met my wife Pirin and I moved to Switzerland in July 1990. Of course David had to be best man! It was difficult to stay close over the last 30 years, living quite separate lives, but we would always meet when we had a chance during trips to the UK and we had all those common memories that we could draw on. David’s approach to life, sense of humour, and love for Claire, Alex, Oscar and Jasmin were infectious. It was great to have David and Claire over to visit in 2019 and we have been continuing the typical Sharpe banter and exchange of jokes throughout lockdown and up to David’s recent birthday. Pirin and I will miss David forever and he will always be in our hearts. He really led a life worth celebrating, and as The Smiths sang “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and that is how I will remember you. We are so sorry we cannot be there for you and with you tomorrow. Love Ian, Pirin, Marc and Alan xxxx