Malcolm John Coptcoat
Consultant urological surgeon King's College Hospital, honorary senior lecturer King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry (b 1955; q Liverpool 1979; FRCS, ChM), died in his sleep from a heart condition on 30 December 1999. After qualifying, Malcolm took up a short service commission with the Royal Air Force from 1980 to 1985, and did his urological training at the Institute of urololgy and St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth. At the institute he investigated advanced endoscopic techniques for tissue removal, which led to his ChM thesis on endoscopic liquidisation of the prostate bladder and kidney. He was appointed a consultant to King's in 1991 and was director of surgery from 1992 to 1994. Malcolm was a pioneer in laparoscopic urology and in 1992 performed the first laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal carcinoma, which stimulated the development of laparoscopic urology in Britain.
Malcolm was stimulating to work with, an outstanding teacher, and a great lateral thinker, who often challenged established practice. He was a member of the council of the British Association of Urological Surgeons and recently singlehandedly edited the association's new magazine, BAUS Today. He was much in demand as a visiting speaker and surgeon in other countries, was consultant adviser in urology to the Royal Air Force, and wrote three books, several chapters, and many papers. Malcolm played rugby for the England under 16s and loved tennis. He had a disarming charm and courtesy with a dislike of pomposity. He leaves a wife, Alice, and two sons.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday 10 May at 3 pm at St Marylebone Church, 17 Marylebone Road, London NW, and there will be a reception afterwards at the Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London W1. A memorial fund has been established to encourage young urologists. Inquiries should be addressed to the Malcolm Coptcoat Memorial Fund, Coutts and Co, 1 Cadogan Place, London SW1X 9PX.
Sivabakiyam (“Soondree”) Chetty
Former cardiologist (b 1947; q Natal 1971; FCP (South Africa), MSc), d 2 December 1999. Soondree trained in cardiology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London, having received an Anglo-American scholarship. She returned to South Africa to practise in Durban, where she became known for her skills in teaching as well as treating patients. She trained in nuclear medicine at St Thomas's Hospital, returning to Durban as a consultant and senior lecturer, and established nuclear cardiology at Addington Hospital. She loved travel, music, and literature, and was deeply religious. Her faith sustained her when she became ill and required cervical spinal surgery. After this she was not strong enough to work in interventional cardiology and devoted herself to clinical and diagnostic cardiology. She had further spinal complications but was able to return to part time work as a nuclear cardiologist. She leaves five sisters and a brother.
by Parimala Moodley and Saraladevi Naicker
Norman Gill
Former general practitioner Wakefield (b Nelson, Lancashire 1913; q Aberdeen 1936; MC), d 12 March 1999. Qualifying before the NHS, Norman saw many changes and regarded improvements in child health, welfare and housing schemes, and antenatal care as some of the most important. He spent the second world war in the Royal Army Medical Corps with the Eighth Army in Italy and north Africa. He was part of Montgomery's bodyguard for a while, managed an infectious diseases hospital, and worked in a prisoner of war hospital and with a field regiment. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in treating casualties under fire in the desert. He was in general practice for 31 years and was involved in midwifery, both deliveries and anaesthetics. When he retired he did locums and several refresher courses. His hobbies included mountain walking, foreign languages, history, Russian literature, and art. He read widely and had an extensive knowledge of world religions, politics, and world affairs. Predeceased by his first wife, Gwendoline, he leaves his second wife, Leila; a son; two daughters (one a doctor); nine grandchildren (one a medical student); and one great grandchild.
by Sheila Paul
Owen Dermot Gilmore
Former general practitioner and ophthalmic physician Highworth, Wiltshire, 1947-98 (b London 1912; q Cambridge/Westminster 1937; DOMS), died from cancer of the oesophagus on 9 March 2000. After hospital appointments he entered general practice and became a principal in 1947, but he became disillusioned with general practice and studied ophthalmology in Bristol, Glasgow, and Vienna. After 1956 he reduced his commitments in general practice, but continued working as an ophthalmic physician until he was 86. Outside medicine his Catholic faith was important to him. He attended mass daily, did much charity work, and established the Clifton Simon Housing Association for homeless alcoholic people in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. In recognition of his work he received the Knighthood of St Gregory from Pope John Paul II in 1980. He was chairman of the parish council for 12 years and a member of the Wiltshire county council for 15, always standing as an independent. He took an interest in agriculture and horse racing. He leaves a wife, Carmel; a son (a surgeon); two daughters; 17 grandchildren (one a doctor); and two great grandsons.
by O J A Gilmore