Laurence W Mason

The dental profession lost a distinguished member with the death on February 27 1999 of Laurie Mason, in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

He was born and educated in Cumberland, but in electing to study dentistry he chose to cross the border and matriculated at Dundee Dental School in 1942. There, it is recalled, he wrote a prize essay on why he decided to become a dentist. In essence he said that he wanted to devote his life to a profession which would combine the craftsmanship and skills with his hands he had learned from his father with his own love of scientific enquiry.

As an undergraduate his latent debating and administrative talents were nurtured by service on the Students Representative Council and by his successful organisation of annual charities campaigns.

He qualified LDS in 1946, but this was not the only result of his sojourn in Scotland. His adopted country had exerted such a linguistic influence on him that when he joined the Army his fellow officers unhesitatingly christened him 'Jock'. But there was a second and more significant influence on his life, for at dental school he met a fellow-student, Elaine Cooper, whom he later married. They were to enjoy a happy family life with their three sons and recently celebrated their golden wedding.

His National Service completed, Laurie returned to Dundee to take his BDS degree and afterwards continued his Scottish connection by commencing practice in a partnership in Aberdeen, where he was to remain all his working life until his retirement in 1987. He was active locally on the NHS Executive Council and the Local Dental Committee and was a member of the BDA North of Scotland Branch Council from 1955, becoming Honorary Secretary in 1958 and Branch President in 1964.

These are the bare facts of his career, but they do not fully illustrate the unstinting service he rendered to his profession, the meticulous care he employed in the treatment of his patients or the guidance he gave to younger practitioners. He did not seek recognition for his work, but this came in 1984 when he was made a Life Member of the BDA, an honour richly deserved.

Laurie was a thoughtful man who lived his life surrounded by books of every description. He never ceased to wonder at the universe around him, leading to a deep faith in God which remained with him to the end. He was a thoroughly good, loyal and kind man with whom it was a privilege to have worked and to have known as a friend.

Our sympathy is extended to Elaine, to his mother, in her ninety-seventh year and to all his family.

J J R

Brian Marston

Brian Marston died on Saturday, March 20 from a brain tumour that first struck him as he presided over the West Bridgford Rotary club in 1995.

He was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and Birmingham University Dental School. It was here that he met and fell in love with Judy, a student dental hygienist. They often laughed at his opening 'chat up' line, asking Judy to clean his teeth. Qualifying in 1978, he worked in hospital and general practice in the West Midlands. In 1980 he joined his father, Bob, in the family practice in West Bridgford, in the house where he was born. It is a proud boast that Brian was a sixth generation dentist, with eleven known dental antecedents.

Brian's reputation was for great tenderness and a gentle dexterity, surprising for a man of his stature. His height made him stand out on the rugby field, in Branch meetings, at his Rotary club and his parish church. However, it was his character, integrity and warm personality that most endeared him to us all. He was a consummate professional, a valued colleague and a great friend. He was Radio Nottingham's voice of dentistry — a task he performed well, without any self-promotion.

It is completely in character, that after Brian had to stop practising dentistry, he sought other ways of offering his caring talent, visiting the local Cheshire home, helping in the arts and crafts workshop. He added painting to his woodworking skills and shared these talents with residents, living the Rotary ethic of 'Service before Self' to the end of his life.

Thankfully he was able to continue as Chairman of Branch Council, and on the Representative Board for some time, attending Branch and Rotary functions until shortly before his death. The Branch honoured him with a vice-presidency last year.

The love, the neat courage and, incredibly, even the humour displayed by Brian, Judy and their family during his last years made a deep and lasting impression on us all. A congregation of over 500 met in St Giles Church for a thanksgiving service for Brian's life. On the service sheet were the words 'It is our heartache as much as our happiness that makes a family, or a marriage, or a friendship'.

All who were privileged to know him extend our sympathy, thoughts and prayers to Judy, Christopher, Lizzie, Victoria and Alice, and to his parents Bob and Barbara.

R H B