Thank you for your message, which is a very sad one indeed. On my desk, in front of me now is John’s doctors dissertation on Handling Qualities for fly by wire aircraft. It is the best text on handling qualities I know, still. Have a look at the thirteen ‘stellingen’ (propositions): brilliant, wise, relevant, true, all of them. For me, it was a great honour to serve John as his promotor, and to be able to award him the doctor degree of Delft University of Technology. Now we have his thesis, a book, which will for ever document John’s contributions to the science and art of designing aircraft flight control systems.

It is sad thing the passing away of one’s father, I know from experience. The sadness will stay, but there is also the gratefulness for and remembrance of all the things he did for you, and you did together, the love. John was a great man, and he was a very kind man. I will never forget him.

I have sent your message to colleagues who knew John well. It will also be a honour for me to write a tribute for John on the website.

Dear Helen, I am offering my sincere condolences, and send you my best regards,

Bob Mulder