Bob Matthews died on 9 October 2004 at the age of 87. Born on 15 July 1917, he was educated at Maidstone Grammar School and entered Guy's as a dental student in 1935. Graduating in the summer of 1940, he then continued at Guy's as a House Surgeon during which time the Blitz on London began.

In 1941 Bob entered the Royal Navy and was commissioned a Surgeon Lieutenant RNVR in the Dental Branch, thus beginning a lifelong interest in the Senior Service. He saw service at HMS COLLINGWOOD, at the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham, HMS PEMBROKE and at HMS DUKE, the Radar Research Station in Malvern. It was at HMS DUKE that he met Margaret Palk, a WRNS whom he married in 1944.

His final appointment was at HMS BULL, the naval base at Massawa on the western coast of the Red Sea. It was from here that he went by road into the desert and the Eritrean mountain regions. Supported only by an Army Sergeant, he worked in Field Hospitals, often acting as anaesthetist for general surgeons. He frequently recalled the appallingly hot climate at sea level, contrasting it with the freezing cold in the hills.

On demobilisation in 1946, Bob entered general practice in Maidstone in partnership with John Cox, a fellow Guy's man. He also returned to Guy's as the Administrative Registrar, a two day a week appointment to oversee the general administration of the dental hospital.

Soon after HMS PRESIDENT was re-commissioned as the Headquarters of the London Division of the RNVR, Bob resumed his naval service as a dental officer. He was able to combine his weekly 'drills' with his administrative duties at Guy's.

During the mid 1960s the planning of the new dental school in the Guy's Tower was beginning to take shape and in this Bob became heavily involved. However, it soon became clear that two days per week were insufficient and it was decided that a full time administrator was necessary. Bob then left Guy's and concentrated his activities in his practice in Maidstone with sessions at Reed's International Paper Mill.

Meanwhile his commitments with the naval reserve continued, first with promotion to Surgeon Lieutenant Commander and then to Surgeon Commander and Senior Dental Surgeon of the London Division. He retired on age in 1964 but still maintained his naval connections at HMS PEMBROKE until the Chatham base was finally closed in the mid 1970s.

Bob retired from practice in 1977 at the age of 60 following coronary bypass surgery and enjoyed 27 years of retirement though sadly, his beloved Margaret died in 1992.

Bob was liked by all for his kind disposition and equable temperament...

Bob was liked by all who met him for his kind disposition and equable temperament; he was always cheerful and helpful.

He is survived by daughters Rosanne and Sheila, his son Brian and seven grandchildren, one of whom, Thomas, is in his third year at Cardiff Dental School.

Bob's many friends and colleagues throughout the profession and in the Navy will wish to extend their sympathies to his family.