Obituaries

British Medical Journal,  April 8, 2000  

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Alison Jane Graham Bell

Consultant physician in care of the elderly Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford (b 1963; q St Bartholomew's 1987; MRCP, MA), died as the result of an accident after falling from a roof she was repairing on 12 August 1999. Alison was a quiet, gentle person with a keen sense of humour. Her natural empathy underpinned her commitment to be approachable in her contact with patients and relatives, and she was looking forward to developing several aspects of the service. Having been captain of hockey at medical school, she maintained her sporting interests, regularly playing hockey and tennis. Alison treasured her family life and frequently spent holidays keeping up with the more far flung members of her family. She also adored the remote family cottage near Fishguard, and it was at this remote location that she died. She leaves her mother and four siblings. [R W HUGHES, D R J SNEAD]

Antony Robert Phillips Ellis

Former physician Huntingdon County Hospital (b Ormiston, Scotland, 1914; q Cambridge/St Barthlomew's 1941; DSO), died after a prolonged illness on 27 August 1999. Tony was the epitome of an English gentleman, but he was a shy man and few of his friends knew of his war record. He was awarded the DSO twice, and for a doctor this could have been given only for the utmost gallantry. He was a born pessimist but very talented, particularly on the stage, where his lost his inhibitions. He was also a talented artist and skilled at do it yourself. Tony also ran the family farm while working at Huntingdon for over 30 years. He did not wear his religion on his sleeve, but the church and his faith were deeply ingrained in him. He leaves a wife, Ilse; a stepdaughter; and two step grandchildren. [B M JONES]

Enid Josephine Fair

Former general practitioner Quarry Bank, West Midlands, 1948-91 (b 1916; q Royal Free Hospital 1939), d 30 January 2000. After house jobs she served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the second world war before moving to York to work in general practice. In 1948 she set up practice in Quarry Bank. The practice was unusual in that it was always staffed by women doctors. She was known for treating anybody who knocked on her door at any hour. She continued to work in the busy practice while raising eight children. She was a practising Christian and a member of the Iona community, which she visited regularly. She leaves eight children; 22 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. [SEETA SIRIWARDENE]

Robert Charles Hunt

Anaesthetist Northampton General Hospital (b Sheringham 1942; q Guy's 1968; FRCA), died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm on 29 March 1999. He was inspired to take up medicine by his aunt, who was a keen Red Cross worker. After training in Croydon and Leicester he moved to Northampton in 1978. His aim of becoming a consultant paediatric anaesthetist was thwarted by failure to obtain a senior registrar post, but he accepted clinical assistant and staff grade posts with equanimity. He was noted for his dedicated and hard work despite ill health and failing eyesight, and regularly gave more anaesthetics than any other member of the department. He was instantly recognisable by his great size and shock of red hair, and he had consuming enthusiasms and eccentricities. He devoted much of his energy to his plants, philately, and naval history, having a particular interest in the Russian-Japanese war. [R H K MARSH]

Ernst Jacoby

Former consultant psychiatrist Birmingham (b Berlin 1908; q Basle 1934; MD, FRCPsych), d 8 December 1999. When he fled to England in 1939 he was virtually penniless and resorted to a variety of menial jobs to survive. He was interned on the Isle of Man during the second world war, but was eventually able to practise medicine. He then volunteered and served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served mainly in India in charge of West African patients. When he became a consultant he always put his patients first and spent little time diverted away from them on committees. The exception was the two terms he served on the Parole Board. He became an influential member, and the other members, particularly the judges, valued his shrewd judgment. Ernst had a renewed career as a forensic psychiatrist and was a well known expert witness until he retired in his late 70s. Until a few months before he died he enthusiastically followed his interests in music and opera, read widely, and was a keen bird watcher. But then Parkinson's disease overtook him, culminating in a heart attack, which he survived for two months. He leaves a wife, Barbara; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren. [ROBERT BLUGLASS]

David Kendall

Former consultant neurologist Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford; St Helier Hospital, Carshalton; and Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Wimbledon (b 1913; q Oxford/St Thomas's 1936; FRCP), d 31 December 1999. When first appointed to Guildford David was the only consultant neurologist in a large area and set up the first neurological department. He was an inspiring teacher and had a great flair for accurate clinical diagnosis, based on sound academic knowledge and a retentive memory. He was dedicated to and loved by his patients with chronic disorders and he gave them long term support, alleviation of their symptoms, and encouragement. He researched into and published papers on multiple sclerosis and peripheral nerve injuries, and he was a founder member of the MS Society. When he retired David concentrated on medicolegal work and he was elected to the Medico-Legal Society. He was a man of wide interests--a fine pianist, a skilled calligrapher, and a keen gardener. He leaves a wife, Jane; a son and daughter from his first marriage; and seven grandchildren. [ANNE HUNTER]