John Lowry graduated from the University of Manchester in dentistry in 1963 and in medicine in 1970. He was appointed consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Bolton in 1976 and developed an outstanding clinical service linked with Burnley, Bury and Blackburn.

He was committed to postgraduate education and was appointed Visiting Professor of Surgery in the University of Central Lancashire. He was Honorary Civilian Consultant in Postgraduate Dental Education to the Army. Elected to the Board of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England he played a leading role in the evolution of examinations in dentistry. He was elected Dean in 2001 and subsequently awarded the Colyer Gold Medal of the Faculty and elected a Fellow of the College.

He was President of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2001 and was a recipient of the Down Surgical Prize. He had been Secretary-General to the European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial for the last ten years.

Within the BDA he was President of the Hospitals Group and served as Chairman of the Central Committee of Hospital Dental Services. He proved an effective leader and ambassador of his profession. He commanded respect but always had an inclusive approach. He was awarded the John Tomes Medal in 2005.

John was appointed Chairman of the Standing Dental Advisory Committee in 2000 and was invited to chair working parties to develop policy in a number of key areas within dentistry. He chaired the Standing Joint Advisory Committee on Anaesthesia for Dentistry and other groups to agree standards in anaesthesia and sedation. From an early stage he led the development of clinical guidelines, including seminal work on the management of third molars. His wide contributions were recognised by Fellowships of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He was appointed CBE in 2003.

John Lowry worked tirelessly for his profession and the interests of patients. He died on 29 September 2008 aged 66 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Valerie, daughter Michelle and son Johnny, and grandsons Lawson and Louis. We extend our deepest sympathy.