6 Comments

1. 

   Richard Lutz on 19th September 2016 at 2:32 pm

   Jim always called me Mr Lutz. He did so for 30 years. I responded by calling him Jimmy which made him laugh though he feigned anger. It was our private joke: ‘So Mr Lutz, what ill wind deposited you on my humble doorstep’ he would say. Then out came the single malt which he could still put away well into his nineties.

   He was a polymath so there was never a shortage of talk: science, medicine, classical music, gardening, bloody politics, gossip, family life, general rages against the night and, of course, a Joycean wit which used words and puns so delightfully.

   Farewell, Jimmy, have a gill on me.

   RICHARD LUTZ

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2. 

   Tony Fothergill on 22nd September 2016 at 11:55 am

   There was an old chap called Jim,
   Who on every conceivable whim,
   Would dash off a limerick,
   ‘Till all were quite sick of it,
   But Oh! How we all Shall miss him.

   A good friend, wonderful grandfather to my children and a ‘sauce’ of constant delight and surprises.

   Tony Fothergill

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3. 

   Nicky harris on 23rd September 2016 at 6:32 am

   Our family’s memories of Jim have made us laugh this morning – do you remember :
   – him sunbathing naked on the balcony
   – the sound of an air rifle shooting pigeons from the balcony
   – our visits to art exhibitions and his frightening driving.
   – his talking to the chickens – in chicken.
   What a man, what a life. We’ll miss you

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4. 

   Susan McClure on 23rd September 2016 at 8:30 am

   Jimmy was a lovely neighbour. Like Richard, I remember delightful conversations – with the difference that at the start he would usually pretend to flirt with me, very funnily – until Margot died. He was a tremendous moral support, on occasion, when our kids were young. I remember being ill at home one day when I was called by Mirren’s primary school to collect her as she had had a bad fall and was feeling poorly. I didn’t have a car at the time, and could barely walk across the road, so I did so and asked Jimmy (by then retired) if he could take me to collect her. When we got to the Head’s office to collect Mirren, I suddenly remembered that of course Jimmy was a doctor! He did us proud, reassuring myself and the Headteacher that Mirren showed no symptoms of concussion, and just needed to be taken home to rest. He saved us a distressing visit to the hospital and gave us his affectionate practical support as well. That was typical of Jimmy. Alex and I shall miss him.

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5. 

   Tina Challacombe on 15th October 2016 at 12:52 pm

   I have only just heard of the loss of Jim. I am writing as the Chair of the John Fry at Guys Alumni Group to express our sadness at his passing and to offer our condolences to the family. I only knew Jim for a few years but enjoyed his company and wit greatly. Through his determination we got the Wittengenstein plaque put in the Colonnadhe at his beloved Guys and he would I am sure have been pleased to know it has now visited by tourists from all over the world!
   Well done Jim. RIP

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   • 

     Jean Hutchison on 3rd March 2019 at 5:51 pm

     Hi Tina,
     I have only just read your comment on my father from 2016. He often spoke of you – and he certainly was proud of the Wittgenstein plaque.
     Thank you for your lovely words
     Jean x

     Reply