My husband Maneesh and I both knew Jon primarily as an academic
colleague, whom we both admired for his outstanding ability to design
elegant and insightful experiments. Through my involvement in the UCL
Neuroscience Steering Committee, I also came to appreciate Jon's sense
of humor, ability to provoke discussion (!), and willingness to engage
with others regardless of their position in the academic hierarchy.
Most recently, after email correspondence with Jon about the terrible
difficulties he faced in trying to recover from the aftermath of his
motorcycle accident, I learned of his remarkable strength of character
and devotion to his family. I was expecting and looking forward to
the return of his wry smile at committee meetings at UCL in the new
year. The news of his passing was devastating, and I am deeply
saddened by the loss, especially for his wife and children. I think
often now of a Hebrew saying I heard in a memorial for another friend
who died far too young. To Nilli and the boys: may you never again
experience such sorrow.
