Richard Thomas Porter

Richard was born in Walsall on April 6th 1945. He was educated at Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, and qualified in dental surgery from Birmingham University in 1968. He spent the rest of his working life building up a large, successful and highly respected practice. He died peacefully, age 55, in hospital on May 3rd 2000 after a long and debilitating illness. He bore his misfortune with great personal strength and courage.

Richard was a dentist's dentist. His work was always of the very highest quality and he was held in great esteem by all. He will be greatly missed by his patients, his staff and his colleagues.

After graduating he took a post as an associate dental surgeon before starting up his own practice of Thomas & Porter in Wolverhampton. The practice started from humble beginnings with one small surgery but built up to having a branch practice in Walsall. The practice employed ten dentists, had its own large in house laboratory and at its peak, was probably one of the largest practices in the West Mid-lands.

Richard contributed a great deal to dentistry. He gave up much of his personal time to help others.

His experience and understanding was often a great help in the social and career development of many new graduates. He served on the Walsall LDC for many years and his practice was very involved with the creation and development of the Vocational Training Scheme in the Birmingham area. Richard also served on the University's undergraduate Admissions Panel.

He was a keen sportsman and had played rugby for Walsall Rugby Football Club and Birmingham University. He was a member of Little Aston Golf Club and enjoyed sailing and skiing. Above all, Richard was a dedicated family man who lived for his wife and children. He will be sadly missed by his wife Susan and their children, James and Sophy.

D. J. E. T.

Ian Tozer

Ian Tozer was born in Paignton in 1921, educated at Montpelier School and Kelly College, Tavistock, before going to Guy's Hospital to study dentistry in 1939.

When the war began, all the big London hospitals based their pre-clinical courses at venues in Kent, and Guy's used Tunbridge Wells. They raised a Home Guard Unit and Ian became a dispatch rider on his proudly– possessed motor bike.

The first clinical years were at Guy's during the blitz and much of the area around the hospital was destroyed. Many medical and dental students worked in the Brewery in the Old Kent Road in the evenings to make a little pocket money – a job that Ian enjoyed.

After qualifying in November 1944 he joined the Royal Army Dental Corps, initially in Scotland and subsequently at a number of postings throughout Europe. Leaving the army, he joined Harry Hawkins as an assistant, spending some time with Harry before setting up his own practice in a large house in Paignton, in 1949.

In June 1960, Ian married Gillian Davis, a sister at Torbay Hospital and they had two children, Jeremy and Louise. Jeremy is in business in Australia with a wife and son, and Louise is a physiotherapist, married to another physiotherapist and has two children.

Ian was a founder member of Paignton Round Table. He was also a long time member of the BDA actively supporting the Torquay and District Section. Ian assisted in the organization of two of the National Conferences which have been held in Torquay. Ian was a trustee of the Paignton Gentleman's Club and was its longest serving committee member.

Gillian's tragic death in September 1996 was something from which Ian never recovered. After a long fight against leukaemia, Ian spent a very short time at Rowcroft Hospice and died there on 8th May 2000.

He was loved by his patients and was a kind and gentle person and a real family man. He will be sorely missed by all his many friends and family.

D. J. R.

DEATH NOTICE

William Guy Marks (BDS Birmingham) died on July 17 2000, aged 73.