1923-2021

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Frank Darrah Rowe died peacefully on 13 September 2021, two months before his 98th birthday. He was educated at Merchant Taylors', Crosby and then graduated from Liverpool University in 1947. He married Margaret Cheeseman on 3 January 1948, a partnership that was to last for 71 years. His primary interest was always orthodontics and he was employed at the Dental Hospital as an Assistant Orthodontist, before starting what would be a lifelong relationship with Lancashire Health Authority. At first, this was on a very part-time basis, and so he started his own private practice in Rodney Street, Liverpool, which was to flourish for 20 years. As the work for Lancashire increased, he used his considerable talents to mentor younger clinicians within the Health Authority, and was always known as a kind, patient and gentle man. His commitment to his patients was such that, when retirement approached and there was no one to replace him, he continued working until aged 75 in order to finish his waiting list. His expertise was so valued that in the 12 months before his death, he received a letter from a patient, thanking him for straightening her teeth over 40 years ago!

Frank had many interests outside of dentistry, including gardening, sailing, photography, ornithology and astronomy. He had a lifelong love of maps and books, and was heavily involved with his local church both as a preacher and Elder. He had a great affinity for young people and was a driving force in the children's work at the church. He helped organise an annual holiday club for children, only giving up due to coronavirus restrictions at age 95! His lifestyle was an active one, enjoying fell walking in the Lake District. He was a graceful skater and during the winter would use his lunch hour to skate on any canal that he thought would bear his weight - a practice viewed with consternation by family and dental staff alike! In his fifties, he took up skiing and rollerblading and enjoyed squash and badminton. He had a mischievous grin and a wicked sense of humour, but if there was one word to sum up Frank's life, it would be influential. He passed on his orthodontic expertise to many younger clinicians, and his faith to generations of young people by what he taught and said and did. A man greatly missed!

Philip Rowe