Unlike many commenting on here, I did not know Ralph directly. I did hear him speak once and was impressed by his clarity of thinking and ability to synthesise ideas from several disciplines and make an holistic sense of them. More importantly I became aware very quickly that he was held in high esteem by his colleagues and was considered personally kind and supportive to those he encountered. In a very real way he was a star of the Business School - not just because of his intellect but due to his personal qualities. I think there can be no higher tribute to a person than to say that he touched many, many lives in a constructive way, and thereby left an enduring legacy of positivity. I hope his loved ones can take comfort in knowing this and will have lasting and happy memories of their own to sustain them.