(by Paul Farrimond & Rich Price)
We said one last goodbye to Dan two weeks ago at North Devon Crematorium. After the service, we headed back to Dan and Julie’s home (formerly the IGI offices) on a gloriously warm September’s day. The weather was suitably kind to Dan “the weatherman” that day. Surrounded by his family, friends, colleagues past and present, the impact Dan had on the those around him was tangible.
Dan joined IGI part-time in April 2011, balancing work here with his work at Aston University. Having a maths and statistics background, he joined to lead the software side of the company. He then gradually increased his time at IGI until he was eventually full time (and much more!).
Dan realised that he needed (and wanted) to know more about the fields in which the software was used, and he set out to develop a good working knowledge of geochemistry, oil & gas exploration, and more recently environmental science & monitoring.
At first, he picked up an understanding of the language and terminology of geochemistry. Soon he “knew enough to be dangerous” (as Paul described it), but it didn’t take too long before he had learned so much about the subject that he had become quite effective as a geochemist: generally knowing not just the “how” of what we do, but also the “why”.
An indication of how much of a geochemist Dan had become can be seen in the numerous messages of condolence received from geochemists from around the world, some noting that his passing is a “great loss to the geochemical community”. That would make Dan smile.
Dan played a big part in steering IGI into more environmental areas of work, and he had a particular fondness for IGI’s involvement with the North Devon Biosphere. Nature, the environment and the local area were all important to Dan, and being able to combine all of these with work, he found very rewarding. He was excited about the upcoming Regensoill project and working once again with his former colleagues at Aston University.
Dan was generous to a fault, and with boundless energy he seemed to have time for everyone. He would ask for input, welcome discussion and occasionally admit he was wrong. He never competed, only shared, was grateful of effort and forgiving of mistakes. As Julie said, he was the kindest of the kind.
He was also fun, with an irreverent sense of humour, Dan would relish the opportunity to mute Sal and derail company meetings. Despite a formidable intellect, Dan never took himself seriously and would giggle joyfully if you made fun at his expense. He hated dressing smart and would have to be almost forced to wear a shirt and trousers rather than an old t-shirt and shorts which he defaulted to for most of the year.
The day Dan passed away he told us what he was most proud of was how everyone at IGI contributed and how he wanted that to continue. He shared how he wanted us all to pull together, support one another and allow everyone who could to contribute. He wanted everyone to have a voice.
He spoke about how he still believed that family was the priority. Although dedicated to IGI, he was also totally dedicated to his family and life outside the company. Whether it was bird-watching, sea fishing, surfing or working on the land at Hallsannery with Sal – his family meant everything to Dan.
We all recognise that IGI is a big part of that family, and everyone who works at IGI feels a part of the family. Dan kept that principle going, passed down from Chris & Sal, and it was valued by us all. We all saw Dan not only as a work colleague but as a good friend. These are the things that will give us the strength to continue to make IGI a fun, exciting and successful place of work; this was Dan’s wish for us, and we will make it happen in his memory.
