I met Fergus while studying at ANU in the late 1970s and living at Bruce Hall. He was a cheerful fascinating erudite character. Although I was studying science I had a love of French literature. He somehow discovered my birthday and when it came around he gave me a copy of "Men and Masks - A Study of Moliere" which I treasure. I last saw him when we both were working in the public service in Canberra in 1982. Life intervened and we lost touch but I am happy to know how many people loved him.

I, too, had lost touch with Fergus. We were very close in the 1980s, but had not lived in the same city for decades. I am very keen to learn more of the directions his life had taken; and very sad that he has passed away. Regards, Toby Miller

It is with a great deal of shock that I found this page and found that Fergus Belford had died. We were great friends for many years. He moved in with me when I was living in Harriet st and subseqently he took over the lease. My husband Lindsay and I, Louise moved him by truck to his mothers place. I never found him cool or aloof, though he could take umbrage in a very articulate way. I feel incredibly sad that I will never see him again. He was the corner stone of friendship to me for over fifteen years. I will never forget him reading Winnie the Pooh to in Latin. Or our long discussions. which ranged over many subject,. or just sitting and reading, swapping books. He was a caring compassionate person, one I'm glad I knew. Love Louise H

I knew Fergus from my student times at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. I was an oversea student and we shared the house in Harriet Street (Brisbane) for over a year. We had such a good time together. I loved his indian curries, the discussions and I hated his cat. I hope I will see both again. Rest well old friend. Dominik (Berlin, Germany)

like a couple of other writers above, i had not seen Fergus for years. i was beginning to feel somewhat mortal and was wondering how oldfriends were coping. i googled old friends from the 70's and was stunned to find that Fergus had died. even though i had lost contact with Fergus, his friendship and certainly his opinions were something i both valued and remembered fondly. it is difficult to believe that i will never have the opport to debate the future of the world again.

24 July 2011 I was thinking of my very old friend Fergus Hume Belford yesterday, and decided to see if I could find him. I googled his name and found this site. I feel very sad. I knew Fergus as a University student. We were living on campus at NSW Uni in 1969. He was tall, gorgeous and very much a curmudgeon even then, though I doubt I knew what the word meant. We spent many nights in long, deep discussions about the state of the world. The last I heard of him was that he was writing poetry in the Greek Islands somewhere. I believed it, because It sounded just like him. I hope you found somebody to continue those all-night deep and meaningful discussions with Fergus. From the tributes above, it sounds like you did. Rest well old friend. Lesley Tyler

I met Fergus over an year ago when he had joined up with our group on IRC and I must say that I found him a very interesting person. One who was always sure of what he wanted to say and very vocal about all the things he believed in. It had been sometime since I talked to him but then I will miss you Dr. Curmudgeon. You were a good person and should have been with us longer. SB

I knew Fergus from many hours of conversation. He was a true character and I am glad to have known him. He will be missed. I will have a glass of wine in his honor and memory tonight.

I don't really know what to say here. We met through an online game, but over the past two years we became pretty good friends, chatting almost daily. He wasn't always the easiest person to get along with (what self-proclaimed curmudgeon is?) but I don't think we ever had any conflicts. I never gave him an easy time, but I think he appreciated that the teasing was because I cared. I picked the rainbow icon because I think it would amuse him... it's a bit... incongruous =] My memories of Fergus are too complex to really convey in this space, but I will say that he was a character and a truly good person. The world is a much duller place without him. Wherever you are now, Fergus, know that I miss you, and I hope you have a few less reasons to HRRMMPPHH there. I know you will still express your distaste about some things though... once a curmudgeon always a curmudgeon =] Love, Natalie