Duncan Shiels - In Memoriam

Umberto Eco The Star but Duncan Shiels Remembered

2007-05-01T05:06:00.000-07:00

Umberto Eco The Star but Duncan Shiels Remembered, Andreea Anca's article in the Budapest Sun about the launch of Duncan's book!

Duncan's Football Match

2007-04-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here they are, at last, for the delectation of football connoisseurs, occasional fans and all lovers of the middle-aged male form, pics from the game we played in memory of Duncan on November 19th 2006.
It was surely the kind of day that Duncan loved: great weather, some, er, spirited football and a dramatic, come-from-behind victory for the team led by Capt Shiels - in this case Evan, Duncan's nephew - before some intensive post-match analysis in the pub.
Enjoy the pics and marvel at the athleticism of these titans, who are now doing battle in Budapest for the inaugural Duncan Shiels Trophy.

Happy Birthday, Duncan!

2007-04-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

from Erika & Adele, at the Duncan tree, on what would have been Duncan's 54th birthday, 7 April 2007

Hungarian book launch

2007-04-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

rajkmeghivo.pdf

2007-03-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

Au revoir, Duncan

2007-03-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

from Sabine:

Dans les bois d’Esher,

Des portes se dressent entre les arbres couchés

Morts ou Vivants

Morts et Vivants

Les arbres dans leur sommeil jaillissent jusqu’au ciel

Dans le bruissement subtil des petites feuilles

Bouleau

Secoué, tendu, alerte

Le vent me montre le passage

Celui des ans, celui du temps

Infini qui poursuit son chemin

Celui-là

Des longs corps blancs

Couchés par l’ancienne tempête

Des membres éteints

Poussent des branches nouvelles

Au feuillage argent

Tout droit illumine le ciel

Puis

Sur grandes brisures,

Hautes couronnes de bois plantées

Courent champignons grands et petits, blancs tachetés

Rouges, jaunes et orangés

Parterres de couleurs éveillent

Jardin des merveilles

Les Anciens racontent

Du cimetière des bouleaux s’élève la vie

Celui-ci

Avant ton départ, tu me désignes la vérité

Celle de la continuité

Et plus encore tu m’offres l’immense cadeau de voir toutes ces portes

Qui nous permettent de traverser les âges

Portes Passages

De l’Un à l’Autre

de l’Autre

L’Un

« Ce n’est pas fini!

Regardes autour de toi et tu verras …. »

Dit-il!

Éternel Amour Vie

Esher, Jeudi 19 Octobre 2006

Merci Duncan. Sabine

Hungarian premier of Duncan's book

2007-03-28T16:37:00.001-07:00

This post on behalf of Florence La Bruyere:

Duncan's book will be published soon in Hungarian.

April 14th is the official launching day. You are all invited to a
presentation/debate organised by the publisher in Budapest, during the
Budapest Book fair.

Details :

Saturday April 14th
Budapest Congress Center (1124 Budapest, Jagelló út 1.)
13.30 – 14.30
Brahms Room
Duncan Shiels: A Rajk-testvérek (Le Fréres Rajk) című könyv bemutatója
Résztvevők/ Participants: Hajdu Tibor, Rainer M. János, Varga László
történészek/historians
Moderátor /Moderated by: Vásárhelyi Júlia újságíró/journalist
(Vince Kiadó)

Presentation of Duncan's book at the Hungarian Institute of Paris

2006-11-17T19:34:00.000-08:00

It'll take me a bit to get the pictures up associated with this post... Thanks for your patience...

Sent to me by Sabine Fazekas and Florence Labruyere

7 novembre 2006

Soirée littéraire à l’Institut hongrois de Paris
(Literary evening at the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Paris)

Photo (coming soon):
From RIGHT to LEFT (de DROITE à gauche):
Adam Biro, publisher (Biro Editions)
Jean-François Bouthors, Duncan’s publisher (Buchet-Chastel)
Florence La Bruyère (translator)
Karoly Kecskeméti, historian (moderator of the debate)
Phil Casoar, writer (Les héros de Budapest)
André Farkas, writer (Budapest, la tragédie telle que je l’ai vécue)
Henri-Christian Giraud, writer (Le printemps en octobre, une histoire de la révolution hongroise)
A participant standing for the historian Nicolas Bauquet, author of a book on Budapest, 1956

The round table was chaired by historian Karoly Kecskeméti who as a young student of literature was himself involved in the Hungarian revolution.

The various writers gave a fascinating insight on history. Through Henri-Christian Giraud, who has devoted 20 years of his life to researching the revolution, we learnt that Russian additional troops and tanks moved into Hungary as early as…October 23rd ! It is therefore clear that the Kremlin had decided at a very early stage to crush the uprising and only waited a little to launch the assault on the 4th of November.

André Farkas, a young reporter in 1956, described how the revolutionaries managed to introduce an immediate decentralisation in the country. In Miskolc and in other towns, workers’ councils were established without waiting for instructions from the capital.
Phil Casoar spoke about all those extremely young workers, employed in factories who came from a very poor background and were the real “soldiers” of the revolution. They were even ready to fight against…own members of their family who stood on the other side, he said.

And Karoly Kecskeméti outlined how Duncan Shiels unveiled new aspects of the pre – revolution days. One example of it was the way Duncan described Julia Rajk fighting for the rehabilitation of her husband. This had not been written before, he said. Jean-François read out an excerpt of the book where Julia bravely addresses members of the infamous Communist Party : “Not only did you kill my husband but you also kill all dignity on this country”.

Soon we will post the speech Florence gave on Duncan.

Duncan Shiels Memorial Football Match

2006-11-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

This message comes from Attila Ledenyi:

Duncan's match on Sunday, 19 November, will be at 12 noon on a pitch near Kelenfoldi Palyaudvar, a one-minute walk from the station, on the left hand side from the underpath.

18 November - details - RSVP!

2006-11-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

We have finally confirmed the location for the memorial evening in Budapest,
the celebration of Duncan's life here -

It will take place at the Feszek Club - in the restaurant (just to the right, when you enter the building).
The address:
Kertesz u. 36.
(at the corner of Dob u.)
VII. district
You can also take a look at:
http://www.feszeketterem.hu

We will start the evening from 7 p.m.,
with tributes to begin from 8 p.m.,
and we can stay as long as we like.

The basic elements will be:
a cold buffet and a welcome drink included
(if anyone would like something additionally,
it will be a la carte, to be paid separately)
additional drinks to be paid separately;

screening of film and photo material
(please let us know if you have anything you would like to contribute to this -
by Wednesday, 15 November)

tributes to Duncan's life and memory -
in the form of speech, readings, song, or anything else -
PLEASE let us know as soon as possible -
until Wednesday, 15 November -
if you would like to contribute to this
(there will be interpretation between English and Hungarian)

following the tributes,
the party will begin, with music,
both recorded music, and we hope more than one live musical performance -
and the opportunity for dancing -

For the rental of the space, the rental of equipment,
music, cold buffet and one welcome drink,
we would like to ask for a contribution of HUF 2500 per person.

We would also like to ask for RSVP by Wednesday, 15 November,
as we need to have some idea of how much food and drink we need...

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions,
if you need further information, and especially
if you would like to contribute to the evening in any way.

One additional event in the planning for the weekend
is a Duncan Shiels Memorial football match -
with a preliminary plan for late morning, Sunday, 19 November -
more information on that to come.

with thanks,
looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday,
Adele

adele@c3.hu

Duncan in Beirut

2006-11-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Katalin Kluge sent me this picture of Nick and Duncan which Duncan sent to her from Beirut, Lebanon last year (October 2006).

Andrew Sheils' Eulogy

2006-11-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

The 1st of November day had clear blue skys as if Duncan was still bringing sunshine into our lives. Around 50 family and friends attended Duncan's funeral and most commented it was a very Duncan event. We celebrated his life at a reception afterwards and socialized, Duncan was certainly there chinking glass with his friends.

Mum and myself would like to give a heart felt thanks to all those that could make it, and especially all those that couldn't be here and took the trouble to send such lovely messages.

If anyone would like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK in memory of Duncan, you are ivited to send it to:


C/o Derby and District Funeral Service,
Unit 4a Park Farm Centre,
Allestree, Derby, DE22 2OJ
Tel: 01332550033

The following is my tribute to Duncan.

Andrew Shiels

------------------snip----------------

Duncan Shiels

The gift of friendship, generosity, openness, professionalism, competitive and intellectually curious were some of the many tributes paid to Duncan by many friends, colleagues and students from many parts of the world.

You knew Duncan in his adult life firstly as a teacher of English, Singer (nearly), Lyricist, Actor, Journalist and Author, and it was fitting that in the last years of his working life he went back to teaching with the Reuters Foundation where he used these qualities to the full.

To me of course, he was a brother, and to understand Duncan's journey in life we must acknowledge he was first a son to Clarice and the late John Shiels.
We were both adopted sons, and proud to be so, the knowledge of this was one of Duncan's earliest memories which I believe introduced a degree of openness and honesty to his early years. Mum came from a Derbyshire family, down to earth and pragmatic, Duncan learnt from her, whatever happened, to pick himself up, brush himself down and start again. I feel sure this was the start to his eternal positive nature. Mum recalls a story of how at the school sports day he said "Mum I don't want to run the race because I know I'll come last" She replied "it doesn't matter where you come as long as you take part". Duncan always took part, often with a passion; one only has to recall his political debates. He later wrote in his note book "I did come last and I didn't like it". The true nature of his competitiveness was to show later in his life on the football field.

Dad was a man of integrity and I can here him speaking to Duncan now "If a job's worth doing, its worth doing properly" Duncan always immersed himself completely into everything he did. The energy and focus he produced to complete his book was evidence of his determined nature to do everything to the best of his ability. So from these early messages he developed into the man we all knew and remember.

The family knew at a very early age Duncan would always do things Duncan's way, a complete individual. In 1958, at the age of 5years old he started school. Only Duncan would develop a technique of walking backwards to school and back.

As children Duncan and myself had the usual sibling quarrels, I still have a scar to show for it, but as adults even though we often had differing political views, we never fell out and I often felt it was largely due to Duncan's generosity of spirit. I was, however, guilty of a considerable sin, I wasn't really interested in football. Fortunately Evan, his nephew and football buddy, continues Duncan's passion for the game and his beloved Nottingham Forest.

Many of Duncan's friends remember that he had the uncanny knack of being in the right place at the time. I remember Duncan backpacking around India and bumping into David Lean filming ‘A Passage to India'. Within an hour he was recruited to be the stand-in for Sir Alec Guiness. While in full make-up and costume, he thought nothing of spending the days and weeks playing cards with the premier league of British acting. It was perfectly natural thing to do for Duncan. Later in life though I began to understand wherever Duncan was, his optimism made it the right place, and his spirit made it the right time.

That spirit was still with him in the last weeks of his life. He faced his imminent death with courage and dignity. There was always a smile, friendship and optimism. He never complained or asked why me? Typically Duncan managed to help everyone else to come to terms with his illness.

If Duncan were here today I am certain he would be slightly irritated at many of the tributes paid, he was a modest man, and he didn't need much. One of Duncan's closest friends said "Duncan didn't collect possessions, he collected friends".
We all have our own special memories of Duncan and we will miss him. He did manage to achieve much in a relatively short life and his sense of humour had an important support role throughout. I do remember the time he told me he had managed to get his book published, I can't remember him happier, when he eventually held a copy in his hand at the Barbican event, I could sense the joy that he had just made it in the end.

I will miss him popping up out of the blue sharing his new adventures, projects and friendships.

I will miss the phone call, hearing the warm, friendly and slightly elongated "Hi, its Duncan here".

Andrew Shiels

Tributes from Reuters Foundation friends

2006-11-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Nick Kotch - Reuters Foundation trainer - South Africa
Duncan Shiels died on 19 October, in a hospice in England. He had been fighting cancer but it became inoperable. Those of you who were at the Aid versus Trade course in July noticed how thin and weak Duncan had become. It was not a subject we could easily talk about as a group but I expect that, like me, you were struck by his strong spirit and his great professionalism. His demonstration of those qualities left a great impression on me and I understand from Jo Weir at the Reuters Foundation in London that he showed the same strength in his last days. He was able to finish his book about the Hungarian Uprising and was present -- in a wheelchair and with a drip -- to hear a famous British actress called Susannah Yorke read excerpts at a function in London. Although Duncan and I had known each other for a few years, mostly thanks to the smoking room at the Reuters news headquarters in London, we only became friends through the training workshops we did with you in Nairobi. During those weeks I grew to admire him as a excellent teacher -- patient and generous -- and as an excellent journalist -- sceptical and clear-thinking. I am sure that most of the participants at the workshops he ran around the world had similar feelings about him. You will remember that he had barely any experience of Africa before we met in Nairobi in 2005 and 2006. But he was strongly attracted to the continent and I feel very sad that we won't be able to invite him back, to help shed light on the issues that concern us. I have no funeral details yet but if any of you wishes to send a message to his family and friends you are invited to do so.

Duncan Miriri ex-Reuters Foundation participant - Kenya
I was saddened to learn of the death of Duncan Shiels. Please pass the following message to the family.
I met Duncan on two occasions in Nairobi when he came to co-run a couple of Reuters Foundation courses which I participated in. I got the impression that he was an enthusiastic and dynamic journalist who inspired most of us on the course to push the limits in our professional lives.
He taught us valuable skills in handling statistics. He answered our questions and encouraged us. And he had a keen sense of fun and humour which helped a great deal.
I retain a song he wrote after the first course last year which I believe captures his attitude towards life and people. He composed it about the Nairobi course to be sang to the tune of Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World and sent it through to all of us who attended the course.
At this difficult moment I am sure Duncan would want all of us who met him to celebrate his life and remember the moments he shared with us.

Paul Ilado ex-Reuters Foundation participant - Kenya
What! This is so sad. To Nick and all my colleagues I must say that I actually had a personal chat with Duncan just before we concluded our Aid/trade workshop. It was a very difficult and painful conversation but I was very curious to find out what was happening in his life. It took a lot for him to tell me that he was fighting cancer. I was so amazed by his spirit and attitude. Duncan was determined to live longer. He loved his Job and wanted to do more. On that we shared a lot and I’m sure all of you got something out of him.
Let us join his family and friends in prayer/ Nick and or Belen please pass this poem I wrote to his family.
Duncan God looked around his Garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering Duncan, he knew you were in pain. And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes, He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.
You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide, Duncan you're always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
Rest in Peace Duncan.

Sunil Raghu ex-Reuters Foundation participant - India
This is really sad. I loved Duncan's class and remember every word he taught us, as we both loved the Energy sector dearly. He infact helped me with a story I did in India after the course and put me in touch with the guys in the field of Carbon trading. I sincerely pray to god for him and may his soul rest in peace. Please convey my sincere regards and condolences to his family. May they get all the strength to overcome this irreparable loss. I can understand their pain as I had lost my father few years back but still feel his absence at times.
Ramnath Subbaraman ex-Reuters Foundation participant - India
It is a sad news indeed. Even though nearly two years have passed since our course, the memory is still so fresh, and thus the loss so heavy. I am sure all of us in our class would fondly remember not only his session on energy news, but also the good time we had in the pub nearby and at Reuters headquarters on the final day. Let's pray to God for his soul to rest in peace.

Pavel Stefanishin ex-Reuters Foundation participant - Moldova
Thank you very much for the sad note. I can hardly believe Duncan is no longer with us. He was so vivacious. I liked his petrolium industry course best to be honest. He had just the right approach to his audience and captured my attention from the beginning. I exchanged few a words with him outside the class. What a great guy he was. I would like to extend my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at Reuters. It is terrible loss. And such an untimely one. I deeply grieve along with you and my fellow Reuter students.

Jan Flemr ex-Reuters Foundation participant - Czech Republic
Sad news, indeed. He did teach us emission trading basics and I remember I enjoyed his session very much. I think it was one of the most useful classes, actually - my colleague Lenka and I take turns covering this topic as we have both felt obliged to use what he taught us (and thanks to Duncan we were also the only ones in the export desk who knew what emission trading is about when the issue became topical in our country two years ago).

Fred Masiga ex-Reuters Foundation participant - Uganda
That is very sad indeed.I personally remained in touch with him a couple of times...My condolences to the family.
Louis Ibah ex-Reuters Foundation participant - NigeriaIts really a sad news; a big loss to the Reuters Family which included all of us who have passed through the 'Writing Business News' course.I just read his 'brief' biodata- what a simple man! In a contemporary world defined by capitalist materialism, I am humbled by his modest life style - his apporach to material things was stunning. Yet he accomplsihed so much by affecting all who came in contact with him. I am happy that he lived his life to the full and i know he must have died fulfilled. Its a big lesson to all of us. I pray God gives his family the fortitude to bear the loss. And may his soul rest in perfect peace.

Eric Toroka ex-Reuters Foundation participant-Tanzania
I'm really shocked from the news that Duncan has passed away. I' ll always remember him especially during his session on energy news.Lets God Rest his Soul In Peace!
Henry Lutaaya ex-Reuters Foundation participant- UgandaIt's extremely sad that we are now talking about the death of our own Duncan. I was and still am so shocked that Duncan has left this world. But I am equally grateful to God for he gave him great spirit, strength, love, intelligence that allowed him to impart so much wisdom in us during the last Aid Vs Trade course in July in Nairobi. Some and I believe all of us who didn't know of his condition, would never have thought he was a cancer patient. He was full of energy. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Arthur Asiimwe - Reuters stringer Rwanda
This is shocking news! I missed the last Aid vs Trade training because of a heavy schedule on my part and so I missed out on seeing Duncan again. But I was planning to be in London this December and one of who the people I was planning to see was Duncan!! I can't believe I will not see him again. I will remember Duncan for the great words of inspiration and advice he gave me especially in moving my career foreward with Reuters!! And belive me, his advice is working. May the almighty God rest Duncan's Soul in peace. My sincere condolences to friends, students and above all the family of Duncan. I will make sure I look for his book to keep it as a souvenir!!

Mernat Mafirakurewa ex-Reuters Foundation participant - Zimbabwe
It is with deep shock that I receive the news of the passing on of Duncan Shiels. It is painful for me to admit that that is the reality.
I still rember his interest in knowing what was happening in my country(Zimbabwe) and it was again my hope that he would have a chance to visit. Let's however mourn with hope, knowing fully well that he has gone to his resting place where all of us would one day follow.
Never at one time when we were in Nairobi did I ever link his body to cancer, to me he never looked sick at all. How I wish he could have lived a little longer and maybe we could have had a chance to say goodbye.
Pass my deepest condolence to the his family and may they know that they are not alone in this dark hour. The impact he has had in my life is incredible.May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Kingsley Kaswende ex-Reuters Foundation participant-Zambia
Thanks for letting us know. Im truly, deeply shocked about the death of one of the best journalists and teachers. I first met with you and Duncan in Nairobi during the Aid vs Trade in July. During that oneweek, I learnt a lot of things from both of you. We talked a lot about ourcountries and the journalism profession.
Duncan had a very good sense of humour but what I admired much about him was his love for the profession. He had such an urgency for detail in ourwork and kept encouraging us. He was simply a good teacher. Duncan kept encouraging me to grow my career. His parting words to me on the last evening were:"You have greatpotential. Work hard." I'll remember these words.I'm really lost for words. Please convey my deepest sympathy to the Shiels family and Reuters Foundation. I am mourning with them. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

William Rasoanaivo ex-Reuters Foundation participant- Madagascar
This is shocking news. I don't have the words. I just want to say how sorry I am. I really appreciated these Nairobi days. I was the last to live the hostel and on a Sunday, Duncan who was already away took the time to give me a call to ensure whether I was fine and to give me tips on things I could do and places I could visit if I ever got bored. It was very comforting. Indeed, what a wonderful spirit. Something which really emulates me, now.I need time to assess all this so I come back later.All my sympathy to his family.

Jacques Junior SCHULE ex-Reuters Foundation participant- Cameroon
I feel very sad to know that, Duncan Shiels is no more! I still remember when he used to call me Jaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And enjoyable moments spent with him! Yes indeed, we were struck by his strong spirit and great professionalism. It was difficult to link his physical aspect to any illness. Anyway, we'll keep alive his spirit of professionalism.

Duncan Shiels - footballer

2006-10-31T15:57:00.000-08:00

I was very sad to hear of Duncan's passing.

Attached please find a photo of a Budapest expat football team from 1996.

This team featured Duncan in his favourite roving centre forward role.

We played every Saturday afternoon rain or shine at Margit Sziget before moving on to Orszy Kert at Nagyvarad Ter.

I have many fond memories of that time, our games and the Korsos in the bar afterwards.

Best regards

Mark Harrower

English teacher

Budapest 1995-1998

now in Abu Dhabi

Duncan - remembered with a smile

2006-10-31T04:15:00.000-08:00

It was a given among Duncan’s friends that you could drop him into any café, anywhere in the world, and within 20 minutes he would know the barman’s life story and be treated like a local. Both gregarious and compassionate, he made friends effortlessly. But Duncan was also a very private and independent man, with many facets to his character. Conversations could leap from the musical he had written to the fortunes of his beloved Nottingham Forest with genuine interest in what others were doing in-between.

Writer, historian and travel guide, Duncan was a troubadour of our time. Always creating, exploring, enthusiastic, he was both interesting and interested. Even at the end. At his book launch, barely a month ago, he still had time for others. One minute charming the actress Susannah York (who had read extracts from his book), the next making sure the nurse who accompanied him had a drink and was enjoying herself.

I hope it’s some comfort to his family and friends to know that around the world, there are hundreds like me who are thinking of Duncan Shiels. And always with a smile.

Martyn Bignold

HIPA Memorial for Duncan Postponed

2006-10-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

The memorial organised by HIPA at the British Embassy will be postponed from 3 November, to coincide with our event on 18 November, in order to allow the most people to attend. The new date will most likely be either the 17th or 18th November, to be announced shortly.

With thanks for everyone's understanding,

Adele

Duncan Memorial

2006-10-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

HIPA (Hungarian International Press Association) has organised a time and venue for a memorial service in memory of Duncan Shiels who, many of you know, recently passed away.

This will happen at 3:30 pm Friday November 3 at the British Embassy. We will have a hall on the ground floor adjacent to the Bank Hall. Anyone who knew Duncan is welcome and we hope to see many of you there.

Anyone wishing to attend must send me their name by Wednesday. Security rules require that all events have a guest list.

Please, please spread the word, along with my email address (chris.condon at ft dot com). Send emails with the subject line: Duncan - embassy

Also, please contact me if you wish to help organise this event - or simply to offer a suggestion on what we should include in the event. At this point we have merely taken the initiative to organise a place and time for friends and colleagues to come together to remember Duncan. Perhaps it would be best if those who knew Duncan best made some suggestions on what kind of event takes place.

This invitation for suggestions applies, as well, for good friends who cannot attend the event but might know what would be appropriate.

Also please understand that this event is not meant to supplant anything else that might be in the works here in Budapest. Just consider it another chance to honour Duncan's accomplishments and remember his friendship.

Sincerely,

Chris Condon

Details of Duncan's Funeral

2006-10-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

Date- Wednesday 1st November
Place- Markeaton Crematorium
Markeaton Lane
Derby DE22 4NH
Time- 11.20 in the morning
Arrangements- Family flowers only, donations to Cancer research uk
Reception- After the service there will be a reception to celebrate
Duncan's life the invitation extends to all family and friends who wish to attend.

Please contact Andrew and Cecilia Shiels to let the family know if you wish to attend.
UK 02089493960 or
andncec at blueyonder dot co dot uk
or
text- 07976617677 with your message

for maps and information
www.derby.gov.uk/CommunityLiving/Life Events/Deaths/Cremation or enter Markeaton Crematorium on Street Finder.Co.uk

Links to Obituaries

2006-10-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

I originally posted these links on October 26, 2006.

Today is March 30, 2007. Adele Eisenstein recently informed me that the Budapest Sun reorganized its website. I am now updating these links.

On Oct. 26 I wrote "Duncan has twice been eulogized in the Budapest Sun this week."

Here's one by Robin Marshall: Pioneer Duncan Dies.

Here's one from the Sports section written by Andy Clark memorializing Ducan and his involvement with Szigeti Source, the football team: Founding member of Szigeti dies.

Duncan memorial/celebration in Budapest

2006-10-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

dear friends of Duncan

just in brief for the moment

so that people can start planning

if they'd like to be here with us

in Budapest

we are planning a celebration of Duncan

especially for those who cannot be at the funeral

for the moment the concrete information is the date

Saturday 18 November 2006

more information coming soon

please get in touch if you feel you would like to contribute

in some way

to express your thoughts about Duncan

in whatever form you would like

with best wishes to all

Adele

Duncan's natural gift for friendship

2006-10-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Like all of his many friends, I am going to really miss Duncan. He was always pleased to meet and chat, always keen to make new friends, always had something new and interesting to talk about, always ready to listen and discuss, always up for some fun.

When I left London in 2000, Duncan continued to meet up with friends that I had introduced him to. Friends who had become his friends.

Every so often I would get an excited phone call from my local, the Dartmouth Arms near Tufnell Park, where Duncan, Monty, Martyn and Kristiina would be watching a football match on TV and having a few pints. I loved the fact that they were all still seeing each other long after I had moved away. And I loved that fact that they had thought to call me at that moment and say hello.

I first met Duncan in about 1996 when he was a Reuters correspondent in Budapest. I was working on the TV show Reuters Reports and Duncan was one of the first Reuters text correspondents who really understood how to make good television. With help from his Hungarian producer friend Kriszta Fenyo, Duncan filed some great stories from Budapest - including one which caused a diplomatic incident.

The caretaker of one of Hungary's most important and historic castles (a venue for high-level European summits and other state occasions) had been making a little extra cash by renting out the opulent state rooms to an Italian producer of erotic films. Promising that the Reuters footage would never be shown in Hungary, Duncan and his crew were allowed to film the filming of the Italian's latest pornographic masterpiece as naked actors writhed around on the silk sofas beneath crystal chandeliers. The Reuters TV report included a memorable piece-to-camera from our man in Budapest - a rather shocked looking Duncan Shiels - with his eye-witness account of the scene.

By the time Reuters TV had fed the story around the world, forgetting the all-important caveat "No access Hungary", we were all in trouble......

A year or so later, on my last day at Reuters, I was leaving 200 Grays Inn Road for the last time when who did I see walking in but Duncan for his first day's work at Reuters in London. We recognized each other as we entered the rotating glass doors, me going out and Duncan coming in, and immediately swapped phone numbers so we could keep in touch.

Despite London's sheer size, distance never seemed to be an issue with Duncan. He would cycle long distances across town to see his friends. And cycle home again - sometimes a little wobbly - after a night out in a restaurant or pub.

Duncan became a regular guest at my Dad's house in Gloucestershire, where I would assemble a disparate group of friends for weekends of swimming, country walks, large meals, trips to the pub and tennis. Duncan was always the life and soul of the party, eager to make new friends and have fun but also keen to talk about real issues including, of course, football (especially when it concerned his beloved Nottingham Forest).

It was here that we first witnessed Duncan's extraordinary tennis serve -- a lighting-fast left-armed wind up that dispatched a tennis ball which arced very slowly across the net. It seemed an extraordinary amount of energy for so little sting but he never veered from this self-taught stroke and if you weren't ready to receive it, he got mighty annoyed.

In fact the only place I ever saw Duncan lose his temper (apart from pub quiz nights at the Dartmouth Arms in London, but that's another story) was on the tennis court. He was driven by a will to win which didn't account for opponents who didn't take the game as seriously as he did.

That is the Duncan I will remember - fun-loving, smart, friendly, competitive, intellectually curious, a man with the wide smile and a friendly, open face. A man who liked to joke whilst challenging you at the same time.
I wasn't really prepared when I saw him at University College Hospital, the day before they transferred him to Princess Alice Hospice. He was so thin and looked so tired. He could only hold his head up for short periods. He shyly admitted to being in pain and when the nurse came in to give him more drugs he made a point of introducing us to each other. His natural gift for friendship and the pleasure he received from connecting people never left him, even in those final days.

We talked about all the fun times we had spent together, the friends we had made and our serendipitous meeting at Reuters …. everything but his illness. He was very excited about his book coming out and he even talked about maybe moving back to London. He had had a call from the Frankfurt Book Fair that morning saying a publisher was interested in translating the book into Dutch. Five language versions so far.

He told me his friends had been brilliant, calling in from all over the world.

As I left, both of us knowing we wouldn't see each other again, he gave me his best smile and that piercing Duncan look that said "We're good friends, you and me."

I was happy to be Duncan's friend. I'm going to miss him.

-- Dan Thomas (thomas_dan@msn.com)

Remembrance from Raj Rajendran

2006-10-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

You could never get a comma in the wrong place or mix up your tenses when Duncan's on duty.

That's how I'll remember the best part of Shiels, the most rigorous and detailed sub there was—never one to let a shoddy copy on the wire but there was more to the man.

This I discovered not after spending about four years on the energy desk at Reuters with him in London but over the many pints we shared.

His moment in the spotlight getting on the big screen after stumbling on a movie shoot in India opposite (it was someone very famous…am sure someone can fill in the gap here), his meeting with Cloughie or the ambition he had on writing the book about the Rajk brothers. I am very happy to find out that he did achieve this.

Duncan's varied life always amazed me, from fronting that crazy band (which he made all of us listen), to his time on the Foundation and his youthful challenges on the footie pitch.

We always welcomed Duncan back from his regular trips to Hungary as it inevitably meant that there was a big fat slab of salami and fresh baguette on the common table.

It seems like only yesterday that we sat down for a few on his way out of Reuters plotting his new life in Budapest.

I will miss those chats and sadly as with many people we meet at points in our life and form strong momentary relationships, we typically fail to stay in touch but will always recall the time spent very fondly.

Duncan if anything I'll try to bring some of that zest for life you had into mine.

Raj Rajendran
News Editor, ICIS

Tel: +44 208 652 3102
Fax: +44 205 652 3929
website: www.icis.com

Tell people now...

2006-10-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

Monica, I and our children have lived in Irvington, NY for about three and a half years now. It's close to Tarrytown, near the Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River. I belong to the Y in Tarrytown. That's where I swim and work out a few times per week.

I was riding home tonight, thinking about Duncan and about the blog and about the unique group of people that are coming together as a result of Duncan's passing.

Now, I can't speak for anyone but myself but here's what I realized. The greater portion of my life has been lived in association with other people. Family, friends, lovers, children, strangers met while on vacation who've become periodic friends. So much of what I know, think, believe and pass along is received wisdom, received anecdote, received bon mot.

My life has been touched by so many people. I can remember so many fine social situations shared with others where I learned something about them, about myself and about life.

I am who I am in part because of my experiences with others. Most likely, this is not an original observation, however, our coming together over Duncan should impel each of us to think of the people who have meant something to us, who have influenced us.. and make sure they know how we feel while we're still alive.

Friends of Duncan Mailing LIst

2006-10-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have setup a private googlegroup to handle 'mass mailings' to friends of Duncan. If you know of people who should be subscribed, please do so in the box at the top of this page or email me their email address(es). (I'm jfreeman at gmail dot com).

Thanks!

Joshua

Duncan Tree

2006-10-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

Duncan Tree
originally uploaded by varese.

Dear All,

I've been trying to send over a few pictures taken on Saturday in Taban next to Duncan's flat in Budapest, where we planted a tree to remind all of us of Duncan's eternally optimistic spirit: called Duncan Tree. Maybe one day in the forthcoming weeks - as we all said - we shall install a bench next to the tree to get a chance to sit out there and have a quiet chat with him....

Thanks for coming on Saturday. Although it was a slightly unusual "ceremony" I believe it still felt a moving and uplifting moment. I hope for those who couldn't make it but would've liked to be there - Saturday - the pictures will give a chance to share this little event with us and Duncan Tree.

Hopefully with Josh's help we'll be able to upload these pictures on the page shortly. The picture Duncan 043 is the block of flat where Duncan used to live and the balcony above the one where a person is sitting on used to be his balcony from where if he'd look out he would see the tree.

Unfortunately I do not have everybody's email addresses that were there Saturday. Can you please let them know that the pictures will be on the web page shortly.

Regards,

Erika H. Szabo