Ronald Farquhar

What an inspiring bureau chief for a young reporter to work with. His standards of dedication, accuracy and persistence, leavened with wry humour and genuine modesty, set an example for a lifetime. He loved the work and the story, and when Vera called up in the evening to see if he had left the office, we would all assure her he was on his way as he sat there rapping out the latest nightlead. His knowledge of Eastern Europe was second to none. My abiding memory is of Ronnie spending all night in the bureau breaking scoop after scoop from the latest multi-volume instalment of Enver Hoxha's memoirs. One of the good things about journalism is that it can bring you close to great men - and Ronnie was among the greatest. ■