On Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 1:49:31 PM UTC, David Mitchell wrote:
Very sad news indeed.

As everyone has already remarked, he was always so helpful and knowledgeable and he had a wicked sense of humour as well.

I always felt honoured when he took the time to, not just reply to my posts, but research the point in question.

He once spent a considerable amount of time researching my location in the Yorkshire Wolds in a discussion about frost hollows; there are very few people who would have taken the time to even respond.

I was saddened when he was taken ill, as I never had the opportunity to discuss the weather at his French property, not so very far from where I am now.

Thank-you Philip for all your knowledge, contributions and interest.

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PE was an admirable weather and climate enthusiast. Never met him, but exchanged emails. I know he had a few ding dongs with the Met office about the compilation of climate data. Good on him. I agreed with him on that.
He put himself about on the media and always gave very level headed views.
I'm sure he will be remembered for a long time.
I hope his vast knowledge in paper and electronic form is kept safe and available to everyone.

Len
Wembury
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On Tuesday, 9 January 2018 23:57:24 UTC, wrote:
On 9 Jan 2018 23:15:00 GMT
"Norman Lynagh" wrote:

I learned this evening that Philip Eden died last week. As many will
know, Philip had been in a care home for some time suffering from
dementia.

I have known Philip for a very long time. We first worked together more
than 40 years ago and our paths have crossed frequently since then. He
was, and still is in a way, a significant part of my professional
career. He became a good friend as well as a colleague and I shall miss
him.

Philip was the instigator of this newsgroup. The diminishing number of
us who still populate the group owe him a great deal. The
meteorological community has lost one of its great enthusiasts.

RIP.


Can't say I'm surprised. Just a pity people were so secretive when he got ill.
He and I had arguments on here but I have tremendous respect for his energy,
his enthusiasm and most of all his character. he had a fantastic memory of
weather events and data, he lived and drank climate and weather. A very great
person who deserves a place in history. Heaven is now a better place!

The family certainly weren't secretive about Philip's condition, publishing details in COL of his condition and the name, address, and phone number of the care home he was in, encouraging anyone who wanted to visit.

John Eden (brother)

On Wed, 10 Jan 2018 11:03:27 +0000, John Hall
wrote:

In message , Norman Lynagh
writes
I learned this evening that Philip Eden died last week.


That's sad news - though I suppose that one could look on it as a
merciful release.

As many will
know, Philip had been in a care home for some time suffering from
dementia.

I have known Philip for a very long time. We first worked together more
than 40 years ago and our paths have crossed frequently since then. He
was, and still is in a way, a significant part of my professional
career. He became a good friend as well as a colleague and I shall miss
him.

Philip was the instigator of this newsgroup. The diminishing number of
us who still populate the group owe him a great deal. The
meteorological community has lost one of its great enthusiasts.

RIP.


Indeed. I hope he will receive in the media the tributes that he
deserves.

Sorry to hear this news. Remember going to lunch with him and others
ahead of speaking at a RoyMetSoc London meeting.

Andy

Philip was the instigator of this newsgroup. The diminishing number of
us who still populate the group owe him a great deal. The
meteorological community has lost one of its great enthusiasts.

Well said Norman, we owe him a lot. It's very sad news, RIP


Graham (Weston Coyney)

On 09/01/2018 23:15, Norman Lynagh wrote:
I learned this evening that Philip Eden died last week. As many will
know, Philip had been in a care home for some time suffering from
dementia.

I have known Philip for a very long time. We first worked together more
than 40 years ago and our paths have crossed frequently since then. He
was, and still is in a way, a significant part of my professional
career. He became a good friend as well as a colleague and I shall miss
him.

Philip was the instigator of this newsgroup. The diminishing number of
us who still populate the group owe him a great deal. The
meteorological community has lost one of its great enthusiasts.

RIP.

Sad news indeed.
I will echo the comments of others in saying that he was always patient
and helpful on this group, even with the likes of rank amateurs like me!

It's such a shame he didn't post on here for longer.

RIP Philip and condolences to his family.
--
Col

Bolton, Lancashire
160m asl
Snow videos:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3QvmL4UWBmHFMKWiwYm_gg

On Wednesday, 10 January 2018 18:20:21 UTC, Col wrote:

Sad news indeed.
I will echo the comments of others in saying that he was always patient
and helpful on this group, even with the likes of rank amateurs like me!

Seems as though - from all the comments I've seen on here and on Twitter - that Philip was the epitome of my favourite phrase: "Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you".

Richard

On Wednesday, 10 January 2018 18:40:15 UTC, Richard Dixon wrote:
On Wednesday, 10 January 2018 18:20:21 UTC, Col wrote:

Sad news indeed.
I will echo the comments of others in saying that he was always patient
and helpful on this group, even with the likes of rank amateurs like me!

Seems as though - from all the comments I've seen on here and on Twitter - that Philip was the epitome of my favourite phrase: "Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you".

I was speaking to somebody in graphics earlier who used to deal with the proofing on a Saturday for his Sunday Telegraph column. He has dealt with many columnists, some that are often unhelpful, but said Philip was always patient and charming if anything needed to be questioned.

Philip was in my Weather List as someone to whom I sent my monthly stats
when I was still doing them. He invariably replied with a kind comment,
some encouragement and sometimes just to thank me.

On one occasion, when we went on holiday and, because of an error on my
part we missed two weeks rainfall readings, he went to the trouble to
derive them for me on a daily basis from I know not where but the fact
that he took the trouble to do so speaks volumes.

Like Mike Tullet, he was a true gentleman and in this age when true
gentlemen are in short supply he will be sadly missed.

Go in peace, Philip, the world is a worse place without you.

--
Alan White
Mozilla Firefox and Forte Agent.
In Helensburgh, Scotland.
Weather:- http://windycroft.co.uk/weather

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 7:28:15 PM UTC, Alan White wrote:
Philip was in my Weather List as someone to whom I sent my monthly stats
when I was still doing them. He invariably replied with a kind comment,
some encouragement and sometimes just to thank me.

On one occasion, when we went on holiday and, because of an error on my
part we missed two weeks rainfall readings, he went to the trouble to
derive them for me on a daily basis from I know not where but the fact
that he took the trouble to do so speaks volumes.

Like Mike Tullet, he was a true gentleman and in this age when true
gentlemen are in short supply he will be sadly missed.

Go in peace, Philip, the world is a worse place without you.

--
Alan White
Mozilla Firefox and Forte Agent.
In Helensburgh, Scotland.
Weather:- http://windycroft.co.uk/weather


I'm truly shocked and saddened to hear this news and would offer my condolences to his family and all who knew him. As he had with others in this ng, some years ago Philip took the time to answer with great patience, kindness and courtesy what to him must have been some very basic questions I had put. I was very grateful for that. Alan's point is well made in that, around the same time, Mike Tullet took the trouble to do the same.

They were cast in the same mould. There are some in today's often shrill and very impatient world, of far too many closed minds and oh-so-certain people, who could usefully stop short, think hard, and take a leaf or two from these gentle men's books.

There are so many interesting recollections here - and elsewhere - but I am struck by one common theme, the extent to which Philip helped and encouraged so many of us over the years. Above all, though, whether it was in an article or in a weather forecast, he had the knowledge and enthusiasm to add the kind of extra detail we all found interesting. Why interesting? Well, for me it was because I usually learnt so much from these little insights.

Three particular memories - first, his weather column in the Today newspaper in the 1980s, the first sighting I had of a jet-stream map, in full colour too. So ahead of his time, and before the internet too. Second, when I moved to London in 1988 I started listening to Philip's forecasts on LBC (when it was London Broadcasting Company, not the national station we have today). As another person with a climate interest, I was fascinated by his monthly weather summaries for London (and even mid-month summaries!).

Third and finally, soon after he moved to Whipsnade, visiting him and walking up to his observatory on the hill. I remember him saying 'this will keep me out of trouble in my retirement'. Such a shame that his retirement did not last longer, but what a productive working life and are we not grateful that he shared his knowledge so freely.

By the way, an obituary has just appeared on the Telegraph website so I guess it will be in tomorrow's issue.

Julian

Julian Mayes, Molesey, Surrey