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"So, as one might ask next, “What’s the takeaway here?"

What an extraordinary life.

Beyond his countless acts of generosity and kindness, looking past his many adventures and exploits, successes and failings, all of those things were only the external manifestations of an internal set of principles that drove my father’s world. I have tried to understand why this man of such humble origins was able to conquer so many mountains, build so many relationships, change so many lives.

And I think I may know why.

Beyond his intelligence, sophistication and charm, my father understood most completely the importance of dignity. There is no doubt that Dad was a dignified man, but that isn't my point. He understood the importance of treating people in a dignified way. Dad could only make people feel special, no matter their station in life. For the young, he understood that within every human was the craving to be reassured that realizing one’s potential was never beyond one’s reach. To those less fortunate he helped to clear a path. He valued talent, as arcane as it might be. He supported aspiration with all his might. He would never tamp down enthusiasm, and yet cautioned against recklessness. And to all, he would willingly help them along their travels through life. He was the great life coach, lifting you to another level, because he believed in you, and dignified you with his own belief in you. And I would call this love.

When people of circumstance met Dad... from presidents to business tycoons, they recognised that this was a man of intellect, compassion, and dignity. And he was treated with respect in turn.

Dad knew that one could only be credible in life by following God’s principles to the fullest, foremost among them to love your neighbor as you love yourself. His was a life of love, love of family, love of friends, a life of eternal gratitude to God, the loving Father, for having bestowed His blessings upon him.

So when I look beyond all of the profound personal memories that a son would have of his father, I thank Dad most for teaching me that despite all the personal success and power one might achieve in life, or conversely, how miserable a failure you might perceive yourself to be, nothing matters more in the eyes of God than how you treat, and care for, your fellow man. Dad loved life, and he loved the people around him, unconditionally. And that love was, in retrospect, the most powerful element of His life.

No one was below him and he never saw himself above anyone. He was the Lord’s servant without pretense, the servant who did not preach God's word, rather the one who lived it.

He was a remarkable man, a great example to all of us. I am so proud to be his son and to have the chance to express my feelings to you about this beautiful, complex, and yet simple and humble man.

Thank you again for being together with us, his family, a family of which you are now a part. We will all miss this exceptional man but rejoice in our thoughts of him, and the lesson of dignity and love that he taught to us by his example."