John Harpur LDS Dip.Orth has passed away having enjoyed an interesting, full and happy life.

John was a highly respected and successful dentist held in high esteem by his patients and colleagues. During his professional life he worked hard to further the interests of the profession in Northern Ireland and in the rest of the UK.

John was born in Calcutta on 17 March 1925 where his father was Commissioner of tea for India. The family returned to the UK and settled in Cheam in 1930. John was educated at Epsom College where he excelled both academically and on the athletics, squash, cricket and shooting teams.

He studied dentistry at the Royal Dental Hospital; after graduating LDS RCS in 1948 he was appointed House Officer and Senior House Officer in oral surgery at the Royal Dental Hospital. Whilst he was a dental student he was a member of the civil defence services during the war and was awarded a defence medal in 1945.

The family moved to Northern Ireland where John established his own dental practice. Subsequently in 1953 he joined the Community Dental Service progressing to Senior Dental Officer. During this time he studied and gained the Diploma in Dental Orthodontics from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow.

John served continuously on innumerable committees and boards. This culminated in being elected President of the Community Dental Officers Group of the BDA for the UK from 1980-1981. He served on the national CCCDS executive, the BDA Northern Ireland Council and the BDA Northern Ireland committee. He was delighted to be honoured as a lifetime member of the BDA.

From 1990 John and his wife Maud enjoyed a happy retirement in which John continued his love of travel as well as skiing, golf, gardening and spending time with their family.

During his career John remained very much a committed family man and was enormously proud of Maud and their three children John, a chartered accountant, Charmian, a dentist, and Brian, also a chartered accountant. Those who knew him will remember him as a kind and devoted husband, father and grandfather.