Derek Parr
Robert Eksuzyan
Sunday 25 September 2011
Though at times exasperating, Robert [● Obituary: Robert Eksuzyan] was a man of integrity at a time when that wasn't easy. He, I, Steve Parry and Derek Parr were all denounced by name in Sovetsky Sport after we requested permission to interview the Israeli team at the World Student Games in Moscow in 1973. The rest of us could laugh about it – but it wasn't so funny for him.
Patrick Worsnip
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Patrick Worsnip
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Erdmute Greis-Behrendt
Tuesday 06 September 2011
I’ve only just learnt, with the heaviest of hearts, of the passing of my dear friend and ofttimes saviour Erdmute Greis-Behrendt. Rising above my sadness, however, come the memories of “Schoenhauserallee sieben-und-zwanzig” – the sound of that address is as engraved in my memory as Erdmute’s twinkling smile and giggle.
As a single man at the time, Erdmute was often my buffer between the ladies – of all ages – who would descend on the Reuters flat with the flimsiest of excuses. Courtesy of the Stasi, of course.
Erdmute was my anchor. God only knows what would have happened to me had she not been there.
I always felt the guilt that I was a rather well-paid young correspondent – as I recall, the Baron paid us correspondents in Deutschemark, which we changed in East Berlin at the rate of five-to-one – while Erdmute had to live modestly on her salary.
Hence our memorable nights out to the Offenbachstube, kind of an “Ivy” for East German poets, writers, artists, musicians, etc.
“Dinner with senior East German contact” – Erdmute – including champers, caviar, you name it, cost the Baron relatively little.
It wasn’t really “fiddling expenses”. Erdmute WAS the best East German contact, and she knew everyone you needed to know.
If my memory serves me well, which it no longer does, Erdmute made myself and my dear old pal Derek Parr godfathers of her new baby, Max. It is with great shame that I confess I never fulfilled that role. My reliability as a Reuter correspondent was, sadly, not matched by my reliability in relationships. I hope I’ve changed so please forgive me, Max.
Of course, the Wall was a concrete entity to Erdmute and Thomas (and later Max). We as Reuter correspondents had virtual diplomatic status. We could splutter through Checkpoint Charlie at any time, night or day, in that old Wartburg for weak, frothy beer on the Kudamm. How Erdmute laughed when I told her a bunch of young West Berliners had stoned the Wartburg, with yours truly in it, because of its East German plates.
One of the saddest days of my life was the day, in 1977, that Erdmute drove me to Checkpoint Charlie for my last time. My assignment was over. In the shadow of that bastard wall, she still managed that twinkle and that giggle.
On the other side of the wall, I walked to the nearest platform, looked back into East Berlin and wept.
I only wish I'd seen Erdmute's face when they pulled that bastard wall down.
Phil Davison
East Berlin correspondent, 1976-77
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As a single man at the time, Erdmute was often my buffer between the ladies – of all ages – who would descend on the Reuters flat with the flimsiest of excuses. Courtesy of the Stasi, of course.
Erdmute was my anchor. God only knows what would have happened to me had she not been there.
I always felt the guilt that I was a rather well-paid young correspondent – as I recall, the Baron paid us correspondents in Deutschemark, which we changed in East Berlin at the rate of five-to-one – while Erdmute had to live modestly on her salary.
Hence our memorable nights out to the Offenbachstube, kind of an “Ivy” for East German poets, writers, artists, musicians, etc.
“Dinner with senior East German contact” – Erdmute – including champers, caviar, you name it, cost the Baron relatively little.
It wasn’t really “fiddling expenses”. Erdmute WAS the best East German contact, and she knew everyone you needed to know.
If my memory serves me well, which it no longer does, Erdmute made myself and my dear old pal Derek Parr godfathers of her new baby, Max. It is with great shame that I confess I never fulfilled that role. My reliability as a Reuter correspondent was, sadly, not matched by my reliability in relationships. I hope I’ve changed so please forgive me, Max.
Of course, the Wall was a concrete entity to Erdmute and Thomas (and later Max). We as Reuter correspondents had virtual diplomatic status. We could splutter through Checkpoint Charlie at any time, night or day, in that old Wartburg for weak, frothy beer on the Kudamm. How Erdmute laughed when I told her a bunch of young West Berliners had stoned the Wartburg, with yours truly in it, because of its East German plates.
One of the saddest days of my life was the day, in 1977, that Erdmute drove me to Checkpoint Charlie for my last time. My assignment was over. In the shadow of that bastard wall, she still managed that twinkle and that giggle.
On the other side of the wall, I walked to the nearest platform, looked back into East Berlin and wept.
I only wish I'd seen Erdmute's face when they pulled that bastard wall down.
Phil Davison
East Berlin correspondent, 1976-77
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Erdmute Greis-Behrendt
Sunday 21 August 2011
Very sad to hear of Erdmute's death in a year which has taken a heavy toll on Reuters friends and colleagues. Erdmute was right at the heart of the East Berlin bureau for decades while correspondents came and went, guided on their way by her knowledge and insights and drawing heavily on her administrative abilities in the day-to-day life of the Schoenhauser Allee office. She showed in her features for the German language service what a good writer she was too, and would have done more if given more scope under a less intransigent regime. Warm-hearted, generous and good-humoured, she was a great friend who brightened up any gathering, never seeming to let anything get her down. And, like so many others, I'll specially remember Erdmute's bubbling sense of fun and pealing laughter. My condolences to Thomas and Max.
Derek Parr
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Derek Parr
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Clare McDermott
Saturday 09 July 2011
Sad to learn of the death of Clare McDermott. I was in the team he led at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, a Games riven by political discord and a Reuter operation beset by a strike: they must rank among the most challenging Olympics we have ever covered. Clare shouldered the responsibility impressively and worked tirelessly to see the job through well. He and I shared a particular interest in swimming and both of us covered the sport in Moscow. You were sure of a warm, good-humoured welcome from Clare. I always found him supportive and encouraging when he was Sports Editor: a big man with a big heart.
Derek Parr
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Derek Parr
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Ronald Farquhar
Thursday 21 April 2011
I was saddened to learn of the death of Ronnie Farquhar. He was a great man, the best you could hope to work alongside. Ronnie led by example, characteristically first in the office and last out: I never met a more dedicated and hard-working journalist, nor one as modest and unassuming.
Always down-to-earth and good-humoured, he was the ideal agency colleague, exemplary in dealing even-handedly with everything, from heavy political analysis to the routine weekend sports results. He helped and encouraged me greatly when I was starting out in Vienna and Berlin. We shared, for instance, a love of sport and he would be a reassuring presence at the end of the phone line, still in the office and taking football copy from me from some far-flung East European stadium – stuff he could no doubt have written better himself. He was a good and kind man. Thanks, Ronnie.
Derek Parr
Always down-to-earth and good-humoured, he was the ideal agency colleague, exemplary in dealing even-handedly with everything, from heavy political analysis to the routine weekend sports results. He helped and encouraged me greatly when I was starting out in Vienna and Berlin. We shared, for instance, a love of sport and he would be a reassuring presence at the end of the phone line, still in the office and taking football copy from me from some far-flung East European stadium – stuff he could no doubt have written better himself. He was a good and kind man. Thanks, Ronnie.
Derek Parr
Aubrey Higgs
Thursday 28 October 2010
Aubrey was a true gentleman, courteous, painstaking and kind. Always busy and a stickler for accuracy, he was very helpful to me when I joined Reuters as a trainee and, alongside colleagues such as Claude Richardson and John Freeman, made the Sports Desk a particularly welcoming, encouraging and congenial place at which to work.
Derek Parr
Derek Parr
