Fică (Ștefan Radu) Ionescu (1928-2020)

The first time it was suggested to me to write about my father, I had the impression that it would be extremely simple - we spent more than half a century together in an extremely close and beautiful family.

I find that it is the most difficult thing - my father, being a monument of discretion, didn't tell us much about himself and preferred to hide any annoyance under his well-known warm smile, wanting to protect everyone around him (family, friends, colleagues...).

The word that would suit him best? I hesitate between "modesty" and "generosity".

Both of these qualities can be disputed as a worthy representative.

He was born on the night of December 27 to 28, 1928, in the family of Prof. Dr. Marin C. Ionescu and Alexandrina Ionescu (a doctor by profession).

As the feast day of the Church "Cuibul cu barză", where his grandfather was parish priest, was St. Stephen's Day and as the night chosen for him to be born followed the feast day itself, his baptismal name was taken from here. Although he was also called Radu, I have never heard anyone call him that. Ștefan - Ștefănică - Fănică - Fică.

For most architects, my father was Fică. Or Ficuță - for those to whom he was closer.