WARREN’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

I have known Warren as friend and a colleague –

Here are some of the things about him that stood out for me in both regards.

Professionally, Warren was the unusual combination of being a strong leader and technically proficient – these things don’t go together very often….that’s why he made such a mark on our field.

Most technically oriented have no appetite or aptitude for leadership – Warren had both..

There has been much said so far about how strong minded Warren was…yes…but I found him open to other people’s ideas…he was a good teacher, and patient with the misguided….unless the misguided failed to respond to treatment…

Most recently, Warren had had some epic square offs with the loonies who think the exit polls showed that Kerry really won the last election.

This, of course one of a long line debates in which Warren would engage.

Warren was relentlessly Warren – he just kept on truckin – whether it was going to Azerbaijan to exit polls last year

or engaging, the drop of a hat, sampling debates on the AAPOR list serve –

His off switch was hard to find…and given the suddenness of his passing – he never had to stop being Warren.

But, for all of his intensity, Warren could relax and was fun to be with ..especially on St Barths …..He was a very good cook. And as Bob has mentioned, there were some memorable meals on the island. I enjoyed sharing a kitchen with there and elsewhere.

For me one of Warren’s most great meals was here in NY. He made an incredible cassoluet for us that took 4 days of preparation…no short cuts, the real deal –it was wonderful.

My only on going dispute with Warren was over which of us was more of handful – Only last week he told me about his impatience with not feeling well.

I told him to relax – he countered with “look who’s telling me to relax” – setting off another round of “ you’re more difficult than me’s”

However, we both share patient spouses…my last message to him was to send our regards to St Mia.

And to Mia and his family you have my condolences.