During my time in Geneva, I was fortunate to work at the IB regional office and headquarters, when George Walker was Director General.  I was in awe and felt so privileged that I could work for the IB during his leadership.  Many of the condolence messages on this site and the obituary on the Ecolint web-site reflect perfectly what I feel about George Walker.  However, I would like to share a few anecdotes which make me smile every time I remember my interactions with George Walker. 

It was ECIS conference time and a few of us in the IB Geneva office were attending the conference, at that time in Nice.  I found myself on the same Easyjet flight as George and ended up sitting next to him on the back row!  Once we arrived in Nice, it was evening, we were both tired (I think it was the end of the week) and I wondered about dinner in the hotel.  To my surprise and delight, George suggested we had dinner together!  It was actually a bit nerve-racking for me but it ended up as a evening of warmth and friendship. 

Another moment I remember was walking into George’s office with a question.  I had to fly to Kazakhstan via Oman and there were geo-political tensions in the region at the time.  I shared with him my slight apprehension about getting on a plane.  George immediately put my mind at rest saying that I should not go if I did not feel comfortable and that the IB would cancel the school visit.  I ended up travelling there and thankfully nothing happened, but I remember that conversation clearly. 

Final anecdote was an address by George Walker: he was a fine story-teller.  I cannot recall the event but I remember clearly the story.  George talked about service learning and shared with us the story of Mr and Mrs Cheshire (whom he both knew) who ended up setting up the Cheshire Homes.  He built up the story with such skill: I was hooked and then dawned the suprise when I realised who he was talking about, for my mother had always supported the Cheshire Homes in Surrey where I lived during my teenage years.  Small moments, but so clear in my memory.  I could have listened to George Walker speak all day.  What he said and what he wrote always made such complete sense to me.

My condolences to Mrs George Walker and her family.  May you take comfort in my fond memories of this magnificent leader and compassionate man.