UNIVERSITY staff and students have said farewell to a “remarkable” economics professor.

Professor David Dyker, who taught Soviet economics at the University of Sussex, died on June 9 aged 73.

He is remembered for his comprehensive knowledge of R ussian and Central Asian politics.

He was one of the founders of the university’s economics department and its former School of European Studies.

Professor Dyker completed his Bachelor of Arts in Glasgow.

He then did his PhD study on the Soviet Union’s political influence in Uzbekistan.

After he finished his degree, he became a lecturer and professor at the University of Sussex from 1968 to 2005.

In the 1970s he worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva.

He had worked with other universities, including the University of Warsaw, and the Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

Professor Dyker was a researcher at University of Sussex’s Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE).

He was also an Emeritus professor at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU).

After retiring, he still continued to write and do research.

He joined a think tank group, Chatham House, a London-base organisation that studies global politics and regional security.

Professor Dyker also managed a successful European Studies Chevening Programme at the Sussex European Institute (SEI).

His colleagues described him as a remarkable linguist as he was fluent in Russian.

He was also involved in Russian studies in the former School of European Studies.

Professor Dyker’s colleagues described him as hardworking and dedicated.

He helped the university organised a number of joint activities, including research projects and co-authored books.

He was a brilliant editor, and he managed to convince reluctant researchers to publish their works.

Professor Dyker was a long-term colleague and friend to members of CASE.

His in-depth knowledge of Russian diplomacy and history had helped the team complete a number of projects and studies.

The projects included two feasibility studies on the EU-Russia free trade agreement between 2006-2009 and trade agreements between the EU, Armenia and Georgia.

He also conducted research on the impact of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and its new relationship with Europe.

He was an enthusiastic gardener, and a woodland manager with his own wood in West Sussex.

He was also a talented jazz musician who played with colleagues in the Sussex Trugs.

He made recordings with his son, Gabriel, who is a professional musician.

He had a close family and is survived by his wife Naomi and his children Rachel, Guinevere and Gabriel.