It is with great sadness that I have learned in the last 24 hours that an old friend, Walter Allan, died last Friday. A Scottish graduate in economics, Walter not only went on to work with the publishing house MacMillan as a commissioning edtior but in the early 1990s he served as the Editorial Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs.
In recent years I understand that he divided his time between his wife Eunice in Manchester, teaching commitments at the Cass Business School in London, and the writing of numerous economics and business studies textbooks.
A driven and natural teacher, writer and raconteur, “Wal” as he was known to his friends, was also one of the funniest people you could ever have the pleasure of working with. Mindful of his larger than life character, his outrageous humour and his sheer sense of life, I and many other free marketeers will miss him greatly. Walter Allan, rest in peace.
Walter passed away suddenly, from a heart attack, on Thursday 4th March. Typically, he talking about football to a Manchester City academy player whom he knew well. Walter had been suffering from heart problems since the end of 2009.
I was privileged to be a very close friend of Walter for 20 years. It was a great honour to serve as his best man when he married Eunice in 2006. Over two decades we shared many wonderful and funny times – and a few “hairy” moments too! I can honestly say that we never argued or had a cross word to say each other.
Professionally, Walter was held in high esteem by colleagues in both academia and the publishing industry. He was a one-off and there is a huge gap in my life. We will all miss Walter and his outrageous sense of humour. RIP Wal!
One of the most exciting and dynamic lecturers at City University, Walter Allan was the one figure who made us think differently about things around us. Known for enlightening up the lectures with jokes and examples about himself, I am sure we all would remember him for his great personality and wisdom.
RIP Walter