I’m almost beyond words. The world has lost a gem. Neil Davis, a high school dropout, was an incredible success story (and should be an inspiration to all). He went back to school, got his degrees, including a PhD. He contributed immensely to the scientific world: Poker Flats, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and UAF’s Geophysical Institute. He contributed with books he authored on those and other subjects, including very entertaining fiction and non-fiction, ranging from politics to personal history. He was brilliant. He was delightfully entertaining. He worked hard. I am humbled and most grateful to have known and considered him among my closest friends/mentors. He will be missed. Condolences to his wonderful family.