Robert Turner
BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION
Professor of medicine and director of the Diabetes Research Laboratories, Oxford (b 1938; q Cambridge/Middlesex 1963; MD, FRCP), died from a stroke while visiting the United States on 1 August 1999. Robert first became interested in diabetes while working with Dr John Nabarro at University College Hospital where he helped to develop an insulin assay. He continued the work as a fellow in Boston, moving to Oxford in 1972. At the time little was known about type 2 diabetes even though it was the commonest form of the disease. Robert developed physiologically based hypotheses which he went on to prove with innovative research methods. He believed that a failure of the islet cells was the fundamental causative factor, whereas others thought that a failure in the action of insulin was primarily responsible. He has been shown, in the main, to be right. He was one of the first clinicians to recognise the importance of genetics in determining the underlying mechanisms responsible for the disease, and the Oxford laboratories became home to some of the leading clinical geneticists. He combined the qualities of being a considerate and kindly doctor to his patients with great determination and rigour as a research scientist.
In the mid-1970s he was convinced that there was a need to establish a long term study into the causes and the most effective treatment of type 2 diabetes. He drew up a plan on the back of an envelope and, with colleagues in Oxford, refined this to a large scale prospective study aimed at showing that the complications of the disease could be reduced by earlier and more intensive treatment. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study was a monumental initiative. It eventually involved 23 centres throughout the United Kingdom and more than 5000 patients and lasted 20 years. It cost over £20m and was completed and published in September 1998. The main presentation took place in Barcelona where Turner and his colleagues were given a standing ovation. One of the most important outcomes of the study is that the findings can be implemented almost immediately. He and his colleagues established clear diagnostic criteria for the disease and showed the dramatic benefits of tighter glycaemic and blood pressure control in reducing the risk of complications. It was Robert’s personality and commitment that were the driving force behind the study, and he fought hard for continuing funding. He achieved all this while maintaining clinical practice. He leaves a wife, Jennie, and two sons.
Ernest John Coponet Kendall
Former general practitioner Epsom, Surrey, 1948-83 (b 1911; q Cambridge/The London 1939; MD, FRCGP), died from a cardiac arrest on 9 August 1999. In the practice John set up routine immunisation, cervical smears, and blood pressure screening years before new contracts or computers were introduced. Notes were summarised and the information stored in disease registers, which was an achievement because his writing was nearly illegible. John was a GP tutor during the 1970s and was involved in setting up the postgraduate centre at Epsom General Hospital. He was medical officer to Epsom College from 1953 to 1964, president of the Medical Officers of Schools Association, 1966-8, and president of the section of epidemiology of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1982. After retirement John learnt to use a word processor, which enabled him to pursue his interests, particularly into the history of medical education in Cambridge in the nineteenth century. He never stopped learning, and a week before he died was attending a full day meeting on the immunology of prion disease.
by R A P Stott
Ronald William Lones McLeish
Former general practitioner Clydebank, 1950-90 (b Clydebank 1925; q Glasgow 1948), died from a myocardial infarction on 24 July 1999. Ronnie was a house surgeon at the Victoria Infirmary before serving two years’ national service in the Royal Air Force, ending with the rank of squadron leader. On demobilisation he joined his father in the practice he had started in 1922. In 1965 when his father retired Ronnie became senior partner, and when he retired the practice had five partners, including his younger brother, Ian. In 1972 all the doctors in Clydebank transferred to a health centre, and this resulted in 35 GPs working under one roof. Ronnie served on the centre’s planning and management committees and was a member of the Dunbartonshire Local Medical Committee. About 25 years ago he became interested in hypnotherapy and, while still a GP, set up a busy private practice which he continued after retirement until a few months before he died. As a boy Ronnie played the violin and piano and he maintained a love of classical music. He was also a keen and knowledgeable gardener. During the final year at Glasgow medical school a dinner is held and on the menu is a photograph of each student with a quotation. Ronnie’s, chosen by fellow students from Sir Walter Scott, was “Far may we search before we find a heart so manly and so kind.” He leaves a wife, Elizabeth. Sadly, he died the day before their golden wedding anniversary.
by A A Clark
Thomas (“Tucker”) Moore
Former consultant urological surgeon Manchester Royal Infirmary (b Sunderland 1909; q Durham 1932 (honours); MD, FRCS), d 18 May 1999. He initially wanted to be a physician as a result of a childhood memory of a physician’s diagnostic skills with a sick member of the family. But he was told by one of his teachers that he had an exceptional pair of hands that should be used in surgery. He started training in orthopaedics, but soon changed to general surgery. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in the second world war, crossing the Atlantic in the Queen Mary, which escaped being sunk thanks to its great speed. He was involved in setting up the 94th General Hospital in Chichester before it moved to Algiers in 1942. He was highly regarded at Manchester for his operative skills and his patience. Family life came second, and many a holiday was interrupted by Tucker’s return to attend to one of his patients. He published widely, and one of the things for which he will be remembered is his work on The female prostate. He was a BMA member for 66 years, president of the section of urology of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1968-9, and president of the Manchester Medical Society in 1974-5. Tucker was a keen sportsman and played football, cricket, and table tennis. Later in life he took up golf, often holidaying at Turnberry, and he was a lifelong supporter of Sunderland Football Club. Predeceased by his wife, Mary, he leaves two sons (one a consultant urologist).
by K T H Moore
William Ross Sadler
Former general practitioner east Bristol, 1952-83 (b London 1925; q Glasgow 1951), died from the effects of long term renal disease on 17 July 1999. He joined the navy in 1943 but developed renal disease and was discharged. This did not interfere with his wish to study medicine, and after training posts he joined his two uncles in their Bristol practice, becoming senior partner in 1962. He never let his medical problem interfere with his work, even when on dialysis for six years. Although he had to retire in 1979, a transplant in 1980 enabled him to return to part time practice. He foresaw the need for postgraduate training, and his practice was one of the first to be included in the Bristol scheme. He also saw the need for a health centre and after much frustration he saw the new centre opened in 1977. He served on the local BMA division for several years, was a keen golfer when fit, and after retirement qualified as an amateur radio operator. He enjoyed do-it-yourself and was a good carpenter. Sustained throughout his life by a strong Christian faith, he leaves a wife, Joy; three children; and four grandchildren.
by Michael Watson
Stanley Grenville Shaw
Former general practitioner Sunderland, 1957-87 (b Newcastle upon Tyne 1926; q Newcastle upon Tyne 1953), d 28 October 1998. He served in the Royal Navy during the second world war and was based in Freetown, west Africa, where he was an interpreter on a French submarine. Gren took over the singlehanded practice in Roker in 1958, remaining there until his early retirement due to a severe stroke in 1987. He was a police surgeon, doctor to Sunderland Football Club, clinical assistant in accident and emergency, a deep sea diving examiner, and medical officer to several companies. Gren was a keen sportsman in his youth and retained a strong interest in cricket and the fortunes of Sunderland FC. He was also a pastmaster of the Freemasons. Tragically, on the night he died his 31 year old daughter was admitted to hospital with metastatic cancer; she died two months later. He leaves a wife, Marjorie, and a son.
by Martin Grenville Shaw
Charles Stuart Murray Stephen
Former general practitioner Wallington, Surrey, 1947-80 (b Karachi 1918; q Cambridge/St Bartholomew’s 1943), d 25 August 1999. The son of a surgeon in the Indian Medical Service, Stuart returned to England at the age of 4. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the Parachute Regiment, and was part of the liberating force of Singapore after the Japanese surrender. He gave evidence at the war crimes’ trials. In general practice he was singlehanded and proud of knowing all his patients personally. Stuart was also a clinical assistant in the urology and orthopaedic departments at St Helier Hospital. He was a Rotarian and president of the local branch. He loved rugby and tennis, both of which he played at Cambridge, was a member of the Hawks Club, and played golf into retirement. He leaves a wife, Margaret (also a doctor); three children (one an orthopaedic surgeon); and eight grandchildren.
by Ian B M Stephen
Bernard Colin Walker
Missionary physician and surgeon and latterly general practitioner (b China 1914; q Edinburgh 1937), d 16 June 1999. As a student Bernard had joined the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, and he began his career as personal physician to the Imam of North Yemen. He then became superintendent of the Church Missionary Society hospital in Hebron, Palestine, married a Danish missionary nurse, Karen, and was ordained an elder of St Andrews Kirk in Jerusalem. Bernard was seconded to be medical officer to the Western Aden Protectorate, where he travelled widely, setting up and supervising many clinics, and working to eradicate malaria. He was honoured by the Israeli government for assessing and helping many Yemenite Jews to emigrate to Israel. As a dedicated Christian doctor Bernard was a lifelong friend to many Jews and Arabs, speaking Hebrew and Arabic. After a spell as superintendent of the Church of Scotland maternity hospital in Tiberias in Israel and the death of his first wife he returned to Scotland and became a GP with his sister in Bo’ness. He became a keen gardener, winning several prizes. In earlier days he excelled in hockey and was a university blue. He advised the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, becoming a director and vice president. He leaves his second wife, Helen; a son and three daughters; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
by R W Walker
John Robert Winter
General practitioner Cirencester, 1938-74 (b Coimbatore, south India 1912; q Cambridge/St Bartholomew’s 1936; DA), died after heart surgery on 3 August 1999. He helped to set up the arrangement whereby local GPs had a specialty role in Cirencester Hospital. He was interested in obstetrics and anaesthesia, was a senior hospital medical officer in both, and was appointed a consultant anaesthetist in 1963. He was chairman of the medical staff committee for four years and involved in the planning of the first phase of the new hospital, which opened in 1975. He started a youth club and a Crusaders bible class, and in the 1960s became an active trustee of the Coke Hole trust for the rehabilitation of addicts. In 1976 he was elected to the General Synod of the Church of England and served on the Board for Social Responsibility. From 1979 to 1980 he worked as an anaesthetist in Nepal. Sailing was an enduring passion. The greatest sorrow of his life was the death of his elder daughter in 1986, but it resulted in a profound spiritual experience of God’s love. He leaves a wife, Jean; three children (two doctors); 14 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
by J Michael Winter