Paul BARKER Obituary

A top bloke. Of good humour and conversation.

In loving memory of our dear friend Paul


We are three of Paul´s friends and ex-flatmates who came together with him in 1963, as post-graduate students at the University of Manchester (UK). We formed a living group that lasted almost two years, although we now live far apart.

We were shocked and incredibly saddened when we heard about Paul´s sudden passing. How could that be when he was so much alive when we got together on Zoom in December 2022 and January 2023, as he was too when he visited one of us in person only a couple of months earlier?
Our memories of him have been with us for 60 years - wonderful memories. His energetic way of expressing himself and his enthusiasm and sense of humour were an absolute joy, admired and enjoyed by us and, we believe, many others.

After our two years living together, we parted and went our separate ways to live our lives. Last year, through Paul´s European tour, with Margaret, and with the help of the internet, we got back in contact. It was like being young again - just sitting around and hanging out talking and joking the way we did when we lived together - telling old tales and making up new ones like the time a group drove to Poland in an old van which, the mechanic claimed, "wouldn´t make it to Pontefract". It was just too much fun, and we were set to hang out for a long time slowly recalling the young men we once were in our glorious youths. Paul´s memory was amazing and his stories so good it was hard to get beyond the laughter. We were having a good time! It really was like being young again! Sadly, we were not young again and the talk of football, squash and golf was rather wistful, although the energy for these pursuits was never lacking in those earlier days.

We will miss his fine singing voice and the many songs that emerged after a glass of beer. Why did he call white sauce "whiters"? Why was his carefully buttered toast with marmalade stuck to the ceiling? Alas, such stories have come to an end and our questions must be unanswered.
They are no more, but we are the richer for them.

Among the many adventures we had together, was a game we played on special days, in which we climbed (or tried to climb) to the top of the nearest tall mountain for midnight, and, supposedly, `commune through the aether´ with other friends on other mountains. In this spirit, out of love and remembrance, we shall `gather´ mentally on our own metaphorical mountains and think of Paul during his funeral on April 3.

A regular and important part of our lives at Scarsdale, as we called our group, was Scottish bagpipe music, enjoyed by all of us, the Englishmen, Paul and David, as well as the Scots, Graeme and Iain. Graeme played the bagpipes himself, but at home we mainly listened to recordings, for hours on end. Given that Paul enjoyed this music, at the end of our communing vigil during his funeral, further in his memory and expression of all our loss, we shall listen to the beautiful bagpipe lament "Flowers of the Forest".

Paul, we miss you, but whatever you are doing we hope you have plenty of the shredded wheat you loved so much.

Rest in Peace.

Paul´s Manchester friends and flat-mates,
David, Graeme, and Iain.

(David Sherrington (Oxford, UK),
Graeme Wilson (Bloomington, IN, USA),
Iain Mackenzie (Aberdeen, UK))

Paul was fundamental to my life of learning. He supported me through all my highs and lows as his student at AURA II from 1980 to 1982. Thank you Paul for all your guidance. I still live with the love I had from Paul and Moyra during those years. Both can never be forgotten. Much love to whanau.

Enjoyed working with Paul in the Advanced Lab and long chats on a diverse range of subjects.

Condolences to the family from Nigel Lewin. Will miss his enthusiasm and will always have fond memories of working with Paul in the Physics Department.