John Richard Bernard
Former general practitioner Bristol (b Bristol 1938; q Cambridge/Guy’s 1963), died of carcinoma of the prostate on 23 February 1998. Four generations of Bernards practised in Bristol and between them served as medical officer to Colston School continuously from 1871. Richard had an inquisitive mind and wide ranging interests that included sport, history, and above all people. He remained wary of modern information technology, but had an encyclopaedic knowledge of his patients and could recall details of their extended families’ history with little prompting. His involvement in medical politics included many years’ service on the local medical committee and the Frenchay Health Authority, of which he became vice chairman. In his youth he played rugby for Cambridge and Guy’s, and as a great great nephew of W G Grace excelled at cricket, playing as a forceful batsman and medium pace bowler not only for his school but also for Gloucestershire both before and after Cambridge, where he was awarded a blue in each of his three years. He leaves a wife, Dinah, and three daughters.
John David Creer
General practitioner Wirral 1972-97 (b Crosby 1947; q Liverpool 1970), died after surgery for pancreatic abscess on 17 May 1998. He took an early decision to go into general practice, becoming one of the first trainers when vocational training was introduced. He developed a special interest in asthma, setting up a dedicated clinic within the practice, and for a long time also had the largest number of medical colleagues in the region on his practice list. He also became interested in helping young disabled patients, working with them at Clatterbridge Hospital, raising funds for the unit, and taking them on skiing holidays. Shortly before his death he made a career change to teaching, and was involved in introducing a new undergraduate curriculum at Liverpool Medical School. When he was taken ill his students asked not to be reallocated to another tutor, preferring to wait for his return. He was a magistrate and interested in skiing and Rotary. He leaves a wife, Jennifer (a consultant haematologist), and two sons.
by J N Johnson
Harry Jacobs
Former consultant psychiatrist Severalls Hospital, Colchester (b 1923; q Edinburgh 1949; MRCPsych), died of metastatic carcinoma on 2 June 1998. A bitter opponent of all forms of official harassment, and deeply interested in the boundaries of state power, he was a founder member and later president of the Society of Clinical Psychiatrists, when he established several study groups to look into aspects of the interface between society and individuals. His most successful group looked into the effects on doctors wrongfully suspended by the NHS. He established a loose network of colleagues and friends to provide quick support for the beleaguered doctor, and after a successful challenge at the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg lobbied successfully for a Human Rights Bill which is soon to become law. Harry’s interests extended beyond medicine. He was very interested in education and a great supporter of the arts and music. He leaves three children, who remember ruefully being taken when young around every major art gallery in Europe as he inculcated in them his love of the arts; and two grandchildren.
by P J Tomlin
Morus Wyn Lloyd-Owen
Former consultant anaesthetist St Mary’s Hospital, London (b 1907; q Cambridge/St Mary’s 1932; FFA RCS), died of a perforated bowel on 2 June 1998. Except for wartime service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, when he was mentioned in dispatches and developed an interest in anaesthetics, he spent his entire professional career at St Mary’s. He had a passion for sports, excelling in rugby football and captaining all the teams for which he played at various times, and organising competitions after retiring from the game. He played golf until well into his 80s, and was also a devotee of Gilbert and Sullivan, making suitable quotations from their works for any occasion. He leaves a wife, Helen; two daughters; and a son.
by Robin Lloyd-Owen
Paul Preston Lock
General practitioner trainee North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple (b Solihull 1968; q Sheffield 1993), d 4 March 1998. After house jobs he settled in Bristol, working in accident and emergency and undertaking locum work in south Wales. Often larger than life, Paul pursued many interests outside medicine. His love of the outdoors led to work in New Zealand, where his great energy and enthusiasm embraced all possible activities including white water kayaking. His love of the mountains brought him back to Britain via Nepal and the Himalayas. In Devon Paul excelled in paediatrics, having an exceptional ability to relate to children. He leaves his parents, sister, and more friends than most people will make in a lifetime.
by Paul Anderson
Robert Douglas McIntyre
Former consultant chest physician Forth Valley Health Board (b Motherwell 1913; q Edinburgh 1938; DPH), d 2 February 1998. He was a politician, elected as an MP in 1945 as the first representative of the Scottish National Party. From then on, as party chairman then president until 1980, he worked for “self governing Scotland,” building up the party to 11 MPs in 1970. He became a councillor in Stirling and then treasurer and provost. He was made a freeman of the royal burgh, and, as a prime mover in the foundation of the University of Stirling, was given an honorary doctorate. At the same time he was a good doctor, who with others in the public health team rapidly controlled tuberculosis in the community. The resounding vote in favour of a measure of independence for Scotland was a great satisfaction to him in his last months. He leaves a wife, Lila (a psychiatrist), and a son.
by Elizabeth M Rose