Ron Howard

Ron’s world view could help to restore balance. I recall telling him with some emotion about my bus trips to a north London quarantine kennel to visit our cat. He listened politely as always but then said:

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, a cat is just a bag of fur that leaks at both ends.”

Five cats later, I must say he did have a point!

I’ll miss him as a stalwart friend and gracious host, and will always be grateful for his advice on prostate cancer - an affliction we had in common. ■