I visited Oxford for the first time to attend the 14th Pacific Skin Research Club before attending the World Congress in Berlin in 1987.  We were invited to Green College, where Dr. Ryan presented the history of the College and the old building.  His voice sounded in a dome with an echo and we enjoyed dinner in that old building.  It was an unusually cold day, when we wandered through the city of Oxford.  We borrowed jackets and coats from Dr. Ryan and his son, which were unexpectedly too big for us.  However, I really enjoyed wearing his heavy duffel coat appreciating his warm kindness on both shoulders. 

On the following evening,  the participants were invited to Dr. Ryan's house in the suburbs of Oxford.  Because of his "at home" hospitality, it was a marvelous experience I will never forget.  We all became members of his family, listened to his piano, joined the games and laughed and carried on.

Several years later, I had a chance to re-visit Oxford, staying in the same tiny quaint hotel, and coincidentally the meeting was held in Green College.  Nothing had changed and everything was calm and gentle like Dr. Ryan.  During the past 10 years, I have met Dr. Ryan several times around the world and whenever I meet him, he reminds me of that warm and heavy duffel coat in Oxford.