My Dad pulled into my driveway this evening to inform me that my friend Hugh Macauley had died. He had been suffering from complications from surgery he had several weeks ago to remove a kidney ravaged by cancer. Any surgery is “major” when you are 82 years old.

I am surprised at how deeply affected I am by his passing. I wept when I learned about his deteriorating condition. I only knew him for about 6 months. I wish it had been much longer. I first met him at a party that my parents threw for my in-laws.

I really got to know him at an Economics Book Club that my father had been a part of for a few years. I have had the good fortune to participate in the past several months. Hugh was the heart and soul of the club. Every few weeks the club would meet and then decide when we would meet next and what book we would review. Hugh would send out emails reminding us of the forthcoming event and what book we were reading. Hugh mastered the use of the internet and email. This was not only surprising because he was 82 but because he was blind. He began to lose his site over 10 years ago to macular degeneration. It required heroic effort for Hugh to prepare for the book club. Most of the books we read are not available in audio. My understanding is that Hugh had to scan each page of each book into the computer. He then used software that would “read” the book back to him. This took enormous amounts of time and energy. And yet Hugh consistently came to the club more prepared than any of us, pages of notes in hand. He had an encyclopedic memory. I was astounded at the off-the-cuff references to books, articles and noted economists that he could recall extemporaneously in defense of an argument. I wonder if he could have given page references if asked.

Hugh frequently apologized for “dominating the conversation”. His last email to the club said:

I will not be able to make our discussion on September 15. You have been
kind on other occasions to reschedule the meeting, but do not do so this
time. Just welcome a chance to squeeze in a word edgewise.

And yet his contributions were always welcome. He brought passion, wit, intellect, and scholarship to every discussion. Now his voice will be sorely missed.

My acquaintance with Hugh grew into a unique friendship over several lunch appointments. Our last lunch together on August 25th I suggested we try my favorite sub sandwich place. As we were leaving Hugh told me “That was the best sandwich I have ever had!” I find a strange satisfaction in knowing that I introduced Hugh, near the end of a well lived 81+ year life, to his very best sandwich.

I discovered my love of economics several years ago and found in Hugh a willing and able teacher. He loved teaching the “economics way of thinking”. My thirst and curiosity about the way markets work would, at times, grow obsessive. Hugh became a ready source to indulge my questions and interests. We didn’t always agree. My vision as to how markets would work in certain situations was not as steady or as clear as Hughs. I am also cursed with political pragmatism. Hugh was always patient and gracious and the conversation was never dull. I still have a network of economist friends. But I have no teacher.

Hugh was a war veteran. He was severely wounded during World War II in Europe following the D-Day invasion. He was sent back to the United States where he spent over two years recovering from his injuries. It was while convalescing at a hospital in Alabama that he met his wife Pinkie, a nurse overseeing his care. He was married to Pinkie for over 58 years. He used the GI Bill to get his degree.

Hugh was passionately but graciously opinionated. He was a lover of liberty. He preferred to be called a classical liberal (as opposed to libertarian). He believed that government, when it unnecessarily intervenes in our lives(in other words just about every time), frequently makes a mess of things. He believed that individuals, free to make their own choices and serve their own interests, usually serve the good of the community as a whole. Hugh told me in several conversations, “Do you want to help the poor? Buy GE stock!” Most people wouldn’t understand such a statement. Many would find such a statement to be offensive. Hugh believed that markets are more effective at helping people than the good will of government or even individuals. Companies that provide good quality products at a lower price help the poor. They also provide jobs that help lift the poor out of their unfortunate condition.

Hugh was also a Christian. Our most interesting discussions attempted to reconcile the “economics way of thinking” with a Christian worldview. In fact, this was the topic that Hugh would come back to over and over after the conversation had moved on to more mundane matters.

Many classical liberals are skeptics and materialists. Hugh was very close to a number of people that held this philosophy. But he did not share their worldview. Hugh, and Adam Smith, understood that people want to be happy and will consistently pursue their own happiness. But Hugh also believed that people can only find it, in the ultimate sense, in the grace of Jesus Christ. “At His right hand are pleasures evermore“. Ultimate satisfaction can be found in Him alone.

Christians do not grieve as “those who have no hope”. We do not believe in final goodbyes with those who share our faith. I fully expect to see Hugh again in Heaven. And having sent him on ahead, I expect it to be fully libertarian by the time I arrive.

Loving Hugh was not hip or cool. It was awkward guiding around a blind, 82 year-old by the hand for a lunch appointment. To casual observers, it must have looked a little like an Eagle Scout project. But loving Hugh was easy. The pleasures of his company were varied and many. It was a joy to call him my friend.

Steve