Merrick was first and last and always, a people person.
But there can be no one person who could deliver a eulogy, or tell a story or have a memory of Merrick that could sufficiently dignify not only the number, but also the variety of relationships he had and lives that he touched in his life.
Throughout his diplomatic and commercial career and in his retirement, he knew the wealthy, the famous, the well connected. But he also knew the wealthless, the forgotten and the incarcerated. He knew them in different countries. He knew them in different languages. And in some cases he knew them for substantial parts of their lives.
But he did not collect people. He was not a socialite in that way. Nor did he use his relationships as a means to an and. To my father, those relationships were just friendships. An end in themselves.
Merrick was indeed to me, the greatest of allies, and stands out in memoriam to have been one of the most enriching figures in the true history of my life. His silence meant the world to me when I belabored his home office with an enormous variety of personal musings & stirrings concerning my fascination and enthusiasm over the crown of the United Kingdom, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he was prayerfully watching and meditating with wisdom. His unwavering friendship through times of intense adversity and his charitable outreaching are deeply noted in heaven.
He opened his household to me and poured cultural health into my soul shortly after the end of the British Empire & during the turn of the millennium – and by and by, we will be reunited. God bless you my dear friend Merrick.
