"I'm Steve Dempster., and I'm the Dean of County. They call me 'Stig', and they also call me 'the fat bastard.' Luckily for me, I've lost a lot of weight over the summer. Unluckily for you, I'm still a bastard."

The above was my introduction to Stig, and indeed to the County College, at the college talks during my fresher's week.

I've had all day to come to terms with the passing of my dear friend Stig. I've also spent all week knowing he didn't have have long.

None of this has made it any easier for it to sink in, or for me to comprehend just what a colossal loss he is to the University of Lancaster, his friends, and the hundreds of students who passed through the County College over the last decade.

He was a truly excellent drinking companion, a source of pastoral care that went above and beyond what anyone ever would have expected, and also a very intelligent academic - dare I say it, I think people often forget that last bit.

And he was a dear friend, who over the years was a source of considerable emotional support. But this is not unique to me - there are hundreds of people who regard him in precisely the same way.
I
'm not sure what else there is to say. But, if there's one thing I'm glad of in this terrible business, it's that I was fortunate enough to have him as a guest on my radio show six years ago (almost precisely to the day, in fact.)
I am very, very glad that my interview about his life and his work is still intact, and I have attached it to this post for anybody who wants to hear him in full flow at his facetious, sarcastic, and hilarious best. Listening back, what I love most about this show is Stig's complete refusal to be beaten by my first year smart-arsery.

I had hoped to be able to naturally gravitate towards him for a pint or ten for many, many years to come. At least we have our memories. I will not soon forget the friendship and the presence of my good mate Stig.

... That's 'Doctor' Stig, he thinks we'll find.