Ronnie practices dancing with a bride (Geri Spencer).

I first met Ronnie at one of Houston’s legendary PPP parties (Pizza, Pictionary, and Piss). He seemed like a lovely sort of bloke, warm and friendly, so I asked him to be my Pictionary partner, post-Pizza and Piss.

As the game progressed, competitive tensions rose exponentially. Things were hotting up. As anyone who has played Pictionary knows, within a very short time it transforms normally tranquil, amiable folk into wild-eyed pencil-wielding paper-throwing assassins, feverishly flipping the timer, hurling abuse, determined to win at any cost. It’s all rather exciting, really.

We were still in with a chance, but the frontrunners were neck and neck. It was then that the Gods of Pictionary smiled upon us. It was my turn to draw and Ronnie’s to figure it out. I picked up a card and saw the word “Havana”. Aaarrrggghhh!! I couldn’t even remember where Cuba was on the map, let alone what shape it was. A portrait of Fidel Castro would have taken too long. The sand was pouring through the timer at a furious rate. And then…eureka!! I scribbled a cigar with four strokes of my trusty pencil.

And Ronnie, bless his cotton socks, took one look at it and calmly said “Havana!” Not “cigar” as I was expecting, as I mentally prepared myself to come up with a stick figure portrait of Castro as a further clue.

I responded as anyone would in such circumstances – instinctively. I leapt upon him in a bear hug of sufficient momentum as to send both of us tumbling to the floor, as I loudly proclaimed my devotion to his genius and offered to marry him and bear all his children.

Ronnie, with his characteristic dignity, wisdom and, I now believe, foresight, smiled benevolently and… changed the subject. Let me put it this way - with someone as wonderful as Sally in your future, who wouldn’t?

Since then, Ronnie has proved himself time and time again as one of Nature’s consummate gentlemen, as well as a generous, loyal and incredibly considerate friend. As it turns out, I married the PPPH (Pizza Pictionary Piss Host) rather than the PPE (Pictionary Partner Extraordinaire), but it was Ronnie who ensured that Houston’s and my wedding day was totally glitch-free and wondrously special. That’s only one example of his countless thoughtful contributions to my life, and I think many will agree on this point. He gives and gives of himself constantly, asking for nothing in return. He is truly a gift in our lives.

Ronnie and Sally - may your life together be resplendent with unending joy, harmony and love.

Geri Spencer