1931–2014

David Coppock died last December at the age of 83 after several difficult years following a severe stroke. He will be remembered by many as a Director of the Royal Naval Dental Service, and additionally as the Tri-Service Director Defence Dental Services from 1988–1990.

Those who knew him well will surely remember his larger than life personality, and his many wide-ranging skills. He was not only a well-read accomplished raconteur, fly fisherman and lover of the theatre, but he had an innate ability to befriend and take real interest in all he met. Few met him throughout his life, without departing with a 'Coppock story or a gem thought' to enjoy, ponder and remember!

Qualifying from Guy's, his early years in the Royal Navy saw active service on HMS EAGLE in the 1956 Suez campaign. He then enjoyed overseas service appointments with his wife Maria in Hong Kong, and later as a family of four in Gibraltar with Phillipa and Nicola. These posts within close tri-service environments enabled him in later years to work easily alongside Army and RAF personnel at all MoD seniority levels.

David Coppock's career advanced rapidly through important naval appointments in the UK. He had a highly successful married secondment serving with the United States Navy Dental Corps in Washington, gaining an MSc in Oral Biology and making many lifelong US friends. He additionally shattered any preconceived ideas his USN colleagues may have had about 'typical British reserve'!

On return to the UK, senior naval dental staff appointments followed leading to nine years of service in the London MoD. During that time Maria sadly died, but five years later he married Sally Arnold, who survives him. His career culminated in his final appointments as Director Naval Dental Services in 1985, and additionally as Tri-Service Director Defence Dental Services in 1988.

David Coppock left his mark on the Navy, and everyone who knew him will retain fond memories of this cultured and entertaining man.

A longer version of this obituary has been accepted for publication in the May 2015 edition of the Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service.