Standing on the steps of the Raamgracht in front of the ASC at 6am somewhere August 1982, waiting to be admitted to subscribe as a potential member of the Amsterdam "corps". This "corps" was (is?) perceived by many as a somewhat elitist fraternity and sorority system. There was some truth to the perception, although way too skewed, as the majority was probably from middle and only to some extent upper class upbringing. Pretty conformist kids, I guess. So, I was very surprised to find a sort of giant with a leather motorcycle jacket and a neck chain of shark teeth not too far away from me. We started talking after a while while I tried to figure out what this very out-of-character person was all about. I quickly found out that this was the gentlest of giants with a quick laugh and whit. As he told stories of his travels and experiences as a UN soldier in Lebanon, he evidenced the adventurous character that stayed with him until the very end. We ended up joining the same fraternity. I am glad to say that after 41 years I still consider him a good friend, despite my much less adventure seeking and boring path in life. We did somewhat lose contact in the earlier years of our careers, but certainly through social media and occasional meetings in NL, I think we picked up where we left off. With his last postings in Egypt and Jordan, we often chatted about developments in the Middle East and he would share pictures of the trips and experiences that I consider to be his second nature.
Obviously, I am shocked to find that the world will have to continue without you, my friend. I regret not having made the time to see you more often, as now I find you did touch my soul over those 41 years. Rest well, dear Philip, grosse Affe
Bas
