The last time I heard from David Fowler was April last year (2003) when he had written me a reference for my new teaching job in London. I had ‘muffed up’ Part III (as David put it in an earlier reference) the year after I left Warwick. David wrote to me that he would have spoken up for me if there had been any trouble regarding this result at Cambridge.

Over the past nine years David often spoke up for me in job references. I kept in touch by sending the odd postcard from here and there. I know from a contemporary of mine that David was always interested to be kept up-to-date with the latest developments of his tutees.

I remember David most for his tutoring between 1992-95. I remember meeting with my tutor group to build up ideas in analysis. David’s Analysis II lectures were popular and effective. He would set a challenge now and then. He was always very supportive and kind, never pushy towards a certain direction, or overbearing as a schoolmaster might be.

When I told him that I was thinking of pursuing further study in mathematics, he was again enthusiastic and supportive. He did say that if I was enjoying the mathematics I was studying then that was fine and worth continuing. I know that he was very disappointed for me when my finals results came out. He was supportive and throughout my career path which has now reached teaching mathematics in a secondary school. I remain thankful for his tutoring.

Sheldon Fernandes