Friends wryly commented that Ken’s departure marked his laidback nature – he passed away peacefully at home on his sofa watching television – and his sense of timing – ensuring many of his ‘oilie’ friends and colleagues in Perth attending the current APPEA conference were able to come and pay their respects at the service.

Ken’s long term association with Australian Seismic Brokers meant he had been a regular fixture at APPEA conferences for … it seems like ever and it was pleasing to see so many of the friends he gathered over the decades and across many countries bidding farewell at what was a standing room only gathering.

Indeed, the ASB ‘Cultural Evenings’ was a regular fixture on the APPEA conference ‘alternative’ social calendar and many an exploration manager was known to eschew what would have been valuable brown-nosing opportunities with their directors in favour of the ASB functions. It certainly was a sought-after ticket.

Ken Walsh was the straight man to the court jester antics of his long time friend and work colleague from ASB, Steve Jeffries. He was the one who either nodded sagely or rolled his eyes depending on the veracity or outrageousness of Jeffries exclamations, usually the latter.

Jeffries was a pallbearer and paid tribute to Ken at his service, saying how the sudden loss of his friend and colleague of more than 25 years had devastated him.

While he was not one for sledging, he certainly spoke his mind on technical issues and when younger colleagues recalled him ‘getting up them,’ they said he would always swiftly follow up the bollocking with a beer.

Family members spoke of his love for the Stones, the Doors, a good beer, the area of Lathlain and his many years in Indonesia.

Friends spoke of his loyalty, intelligence and peaceful nature.

Colleagues spoke of his skill, dedication and asked how the hell he managed to put up with Jeffries for all those years.

Ken Walsh, rest in peace.