We are sorry to hear of the recent passing of David Merrylees (G 56-61) on 12 September 2024, who was Chairman of the British and Commonwealth community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Their newsletter reads: "The BCS is deeply saddened to report the passing on 12th September, of David Merrylees, our Chairman since 2019.

David was charming, urbane, and intelligent. Part of his lore is that for a summer job before going to University, David was a maths tutor to the son of an aide to the Royal Family. There, as a family guest, he danced with the Queen at a house party.

David went on to graduate in Engineering from Oxford University and then became a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents. He worked in London before transferring to Rio to work with Dannemann, Siemsen, Bigler & Ipanema Moreira, the leading Brazilian firm in Industrial Property. David was to become the Senior Partner of Dannemann’s. Over a distinguished career David was the Brazilian delegate to the Industrial Patents Federation – FICPI and was a respected, influential voice, internationally and in Brazil, on matters pertaining to the field. He was totally unassuming about his achievements.

The BCS was extremely fortunate and honoured to have David as our Chairman at a challenging moment for the British Community in Rio. He was a popular, highly regarded Chair, even handed, respectful but firm. He had that rare gift of instilling a sense of calmness into the tensest of situations. He was a dedicated professional with a tremendous sense of responsibility. To the end, he actively worked on matters which are critical to the future of the British Community in Rio and to the preservation of British heritage in Rio. He always sought to establish ever closer and harmonious working relations between the BCS, the British Consulate, the British Chamber of Commerce in Brazil, The British School, and Christ Church.

David had a gentle, refined sense of humour, and he was also a very good friend to many within the British and Commonwealth community in Rio, fine company and a loyal colleague. A popular member of the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, David loved the sea and sailing. Whenever he could, he would go out for a spin in the Guanabara Bay. From time to time, he would escape to Buzios or head up to the hills to get away from all of us.

David was the proud father of Tarik and Soraya and grandfather of Maya.

We already miss him greatly. Au revoir David."

Martin Latham remembers of him :"David & I were exact contemporaries and there were just the two of us post A-levels in the Upper 6th doing higher maths & physics + various extra subjects. David went on to Oxford and I to Cambridge. I met up with David on one of my trips to Brazil about 20 years ago for a much enjoyable evening."