Charles Clasen

From Ray Fuary, ex-director International House Mataró...

From the other side of the world I wanted to say comforting words to Teri and Alex - but really. the right words won’t come..

I hope you find some comfort in the following thoughts about Charlie.

To those who knew Charlie, his enthusiasm was immediately noticeable. To those who knew him a little more, that enthusiasm for life, for knowledge for adventure  became almost infectious. I count myself as one of those fortunate enough to fall into the second category.

Knowing Charlie was an experience of gentle eccentricities and a fight against being swept along by the force and sheer joy Charlie which infected us with. Charlie had that quality of making each of us feel that we were worth an awful lot and encouraged us to take leaps against our natural instinct to caution. To see his eyes alight with energy, warmth and encouragement while his prodding logical questioning of why we couldn’t push a bit more beyond the ordinary – this is something I will always remember and appreciate. And I am not the only one.

I will always remember the happiness he felt in giving to others. Sometimes a bottle of great wine, or words of encouragement, or his selfless giving of time, or a packet of over large nappies. Charlie gave without thinking of receiving.

Charlie was not meant to be a millionaire. He was too honest and moral for that.  I remember being horrified by his agreeing with private students that he would repay their money if they didn’t actually reach their goals.

That was Charlie. 

In this age of overpraising and sentimentality – something Charlie did not like, so please forgive me Charlie – I want to say that Charlie touched many people in his journey through life and that his touching has left us the better for it.

Thank you Charlie.

For your your latest project - the journey you are now on.

Bon voyage.