Roger Franklin, Trustee of the NPDG (UK), sadly passed away on September 2nd 2009. Here, Bill Owen, his long time friend and fellow NPDG (UK) Trustee pays tribute to him.

"In August 2006, I was with Roger when he took on the ascent of Scafell Pike in the Lake District, to assist our Niemann-Pick Charity with fundraising. Roger was a Trustee of the Charity, and he, along with his wife Ann, had given great support to my family over many years. In May 2008 our group of friends went on a Med cruise and Roger had just been diagnosed with pleurisy from which he had seemed to be largely recovered. Little did we know that by July he would have received the devastating diagnosis of mesothelioma from which there is, currently, no rescue. Just over a year later the disease has taken him and we all feel the great loss of our dear friend. He bore his fate and final suffering with dignity and great fortitude. Such solace as we can find, lies in our memories of Roger and the good times we shared together.

Roger was kindly, helpful, amusing, and intelligent, these are but a few of the impressions he made. If Roger joined your company then you knew that the time would be interesting; although sometimes too interesting! A keen Radio 4 listener and a Guardian reader, Roger had a great sense of social justice, would always speak out on issues of equality, fairness, and would support minority causes when others would remain silent. But he was not afraid to be wrong and was prepared to be influenced by fact.

I know from our discussions that he placed great value on his family and would do all he could to help them in times of difficulty and, to promote harmony and understanding.

To me, the most striking aspect of Roger was his wide range of interests. He had an enquiring mind and would go to great lengths to gain a detailed understanding of a subject. His interests waxed and waned. He would decide to take up painting but Ann was disappointed to discover that it was the wrong sort of painting – not house! He once told me that within the household duties, he dealt with the origin of life, the universe, global politics, religion, science and art and Ann looked after everything else! These interests kept him busy.

Roger’s greatest passion was probably music – that is in the performing rather than the listening. Apparently his playing was neglected and remained static for many years, but latterly he studied and practiced classical pieces and demonstrated a good level of proficiency, although he was never happy with what he knew to be, his shortcomings.

A few stories that will always stay in my mind, illustrate Roger’s ability to concentrate but often on the wrong thing. For instance, when taking Ann to work on the early shift he would be intent on a listening to a radio programme and drive off without her, only to discover his error some miles later. In our group at work, each person would make tea or coffee on a rota. When it was Roger’s turn there was always excitement and trepidation. Off he would go with the cups and the orders but a) would he come back? b) if so would there be anything in the cups or perhaps just hot water? c) what were the chances of getting what you ordered?

Roger loved life. He did not want to die; it was too soon – for him, his family and his friends. He will be greatly missed by us all. I know from our discussions on life and death that he took the words of the poet Dylan Thomas seriously which I paraphrase:-

“Do not go gentle into that good night
Life should burn and rave at the close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

This, I believe, is what Roger did".