1928–2016

Roy Storer was born on 21 February 1928 in Wallasey. He was educated at Wallasey Grammar School and Liverpool University, where he graduated LDS in 1950 and MSc in 1954. He was Lecturer in Prosthodontics in Liverpool from 1954-1961, Visiting Associate Professor in Northwestern University Chicago in 1961–1962, promoted to Senior Lecturer in Liverpool from 1962-1967 before taking up the Chair in Prosthodontics at Newcastle Dental School in 1968. He married Kathleen Mary Pitman in 1952, they had two daughters, Sheila and Caroline, and one son, Michael. He died on 11 November 2016 after a long illness.

Roy Storer worked for nine years with Professor Maurice Hallett on the plans for the new Dental School and Hospital on Richardson Road. He succeeded Maurice Hallett as Dean in September 1977 and one year later proudly invited the Chancellor of the University, the Duke of Northumberland, to open the school and hospital on 15 September 1978. He was a member of the General Dental Council from 1977 until his retirement in 1992 and was the Chairman of its Education Committee from 1986-1991.

His commitment to academic dentistry nationally, focused on four initiatives:

  • Extending the BDS programme to 5 years

  • Increasing basic science teaching

  • Emphasising the need for teaching of medicine and surgery to dental students

  • Securing funding for a re-equipment programme.

These initiatives are forgotten now, but those of us who were there at the time knew how important it was for the development of the undergraduate teaching programme in the United Kingdom.

Roy was very proud of his family and often talked about their successes. He was a proud grandfather of Chris, Pete, Duncan, Lauren, Hannah, Thomas and Molly. The love and support Roy received from his wife, Mary, sustained him during his fifteen years as Dean and was greatly appreciated by his colleagues within the dental school. They celebrated their diamond wedding in 2012.

He supported virtually all sporting activities, particularly rugby and cricket, and he collected cricket memorabilia. He bought a turnstile in an auction from the Trent Bridge Test Cricket Ground and had it concreted in in his garden. A flag pole was erected to display his large collection of flags, especially those associated with cricket, rugby and Newcastle University.

For many years Roy and Mary belonged to St Mary's Church in Ponteland. It was their spiritual home. He carried out the duties as Church Warden from 2001–2004. Roy's funeral took place at St Mary's Church on Monday 28 November. We mourn his passing, but give thanks for his long life and for all that he achieved at Newcastle Dental School and Hospital.