Dear Robert, I remember the moment that your illness was announced to us…so hard to believe… A loving and beloved husband and dad, a beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, colleague, boss…brother in law… We were blown away by the bad news. On the 23th of October 2015 I wrote you a message about how very sorry I felt for you and that you should be strong and fight and think positively. Typical for you was that your first concern was my sister Heidi. You told me that it was physically and emotionally draining for her, that she was having to juggle looking after the boys and trying to spent time with you. You were trying to get her to think about herself as well, but no Robert, that’s not who my sister is, she wants the best for everyone, except herself. We laughed in that conversation about the colonoscopy you had to go through that day, about the purge, the loo…I told you that laughter is always the best medicine and your answer was: “So true. There is humour in all that we do if you look at it in the right light…” I will remember you as a person who could talk about every subject, which I think made you such a good manager at Ernst & Young. You were so proud last year , at New Year 2017 when you came over to Belgium. You couldn’t stop talking about how you got the opportunity , during a meeting in the US, to talk about your illness and how you experienced it . You got the beautiful reactions of your colleagues printed out to let us read, to share with us. You were happy and proud, because you had the feeling that you taught them something about life, the meaning of life and that we have to cherish the little things in life…You were an inspiration to many people , suddenly we all became less annoyed by banal things. I will also remember you as someone who couldn’t stand his loss…also against your disease you wanted to win. You continued working hard, you continued being a great dad and husband, you tried to enjoy life further…and you have managed to win against this disease for 2 years. After these two years of fighting, of hope and despair, courage and despondency, positive and negative thoughts, fear and sadness , you have given up the battle and you have finally come to rest... To my sister Heidi… what reassures me is that you and the boys are surrounded by many dear people. It is not easy to live so far apart when you need each other. I hope and wish that you will now also find peace and rest, and continue to live with the beautiful memories that you have built together… To Thomas and Liam, always remember that your dad wanted the best for you and his desire was that you succeed in life. Let his dream become reality so that he can be proud of his sons who he loved so deeply. Always there for you, Mich "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." Thomas Campbell