Neil Stuart Corbett

Neil Corbett died following a car accident in Cornwall on 21st May 1999. Neil was born in Stourbridge, West Midlands on the 7th July 1973 to Richard and Jennifer Corbett. He was the older brother to Simon and Nigel.

Neil was a delightful character, full of life, optimistic and so enthusiastic. He was very proud and fond of his secondary school, Old Swinford Hospital School. His closest friend described Neil's reaction, after being picked up from school, having just taken an A-level examination. Both were asked how they got on, his friend buried his head in his hands, while Neil replied 'Easy! Great!' Both got the same grades, but that was typical of Neil's character and confidence.

Neil studied dentistry at Cardiff Dental School and graduated in the summer of 1996. He worked as a vocational dental practitioner with Richard Teuchmann in Braunton, North Devon, winning the respect and popularity from his VDP colleagues and patients. While in Devon, Neil acquired a house and started to decorate it. However, instead of decorating one room at a time, he decided to decorate the whole house at once, typifying Neil's enthusiasm and drive. He completed a further year at Braunton as an associate. However, his dream had always been to open his own practice.

Neil's dream became a reality as a result of his initiative to set up Oak House Practice in Truro, Cornwall. He was joined in the venture by an old friend from Cardiff Dental School, Andy Ridout. On 14th October 1998 the practice opened to help meet the demand for NHS dentistry in that part of Cornwall. The response from the public and press was incredible. Patients were seen queuing all down the length of St George's Road.

Neil was tall, slim and always smiling. He enjoyed golf, snooker, mountain biking and motor sport. He shared much of the exciting time in creating the new practice with Suzanne Hanson who played a special part in Neil's life.

Neil's tragic death was a very sad loss to all who knew him and he will always be remembered with deep affection. Neil will be particularly missed by his parents Jennifer and Richard, brothers Nigel and Simon, and Suzanne and his daughter Harriet.

NP

Philip J. Stoy

Philip Stoy died peacefully in hospital after a short illness on 15th January 2000, four days before his 94th birthday.

He was born in Wolverhampton and was educated at the local grammar school and at Birmingham University, where he won a Queen's scholarship for best overall performance in the medical school. In the dental school he won many further medals, finally qualifying with first-class honours in 1932.

In 1934 he became the first full-time dental lecturer in Bristol University. In 1940, under his guidance, a new dental school and hospital was opened and he was appointed senior lecturer in dental surgery, dental assistant dean and clinical dean.

In 1947 he was appointed to the first chair in dentistry at Queen's University, Belfast, where he was responsible for building a new school of dentistry in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital. This he accomplished with patience and skill, and his name will always be associated with it. The school was opened in 1965. (Recently, in a personal letter, he expressed his delight that the school had achieved highest grades in teaching among British universities.)

No one served his profession more faithfully than Philip Stoy. He represented Queen's University for many years on the GDC, sat on Government boards and committees, examined in many universities, advised the Southern Irish Government on fluoridation, and helped to found and later presided as dean over the Faculty of Dentistry, R.C.S.I. An enthusiastic member of the BDA, he served on the N.I. Council and many committees. He became Branch President in 1954, a life member and finally a fellow of the Association. Following his retirement, Queens University conferred on him the degree of M.D. (honoris causa).

Professor Stoy was a self-effacing man of great integrity. His diffidence concealed an encyclopaedic knowledge of the classics, history, literature and medical science. He will be remembered by his students for his dedicated teaching and by thousands of patients for his diagnostic skill and care.

Since 1975, Philip Stoy lived in Exmouth, Devon, where he was secretary of the Conservative Association, was a local councillor, and represented the county at chess. He was a member of the Society of Friends.

His funeral, a Quaker service, took place in Exmouth on 25th January 2000. He is survived by his wife Betty, two sons, and a grand-daughter, to whom the sympathy of his colleagues and friends is extended.

CMcK

DEATH NOTICE

Sir Frank Lawton, a former President of the BDA and GDC President between 1979-89, died on the night of 19th/20th February at his home in Yorkshire.