Adam James Patrick Riley, born 25 March 1960, died suddenly and unexpectedly on 1 August 2012, aged 52 years.

Adam was born in Leicester, initially moving to Ulverston at the age of one, followed by later family moves to Cheadle Hulme and Macclesfield. Here he attended King's school whilst living on the family farm.

Adam graduated in dentistry at Liverpool in 1982, where his sister Helen had previously also graduated in dentistry. It was during the first few weeks at university that Adam met his wife, Jane, who was also studying dentistry.

Adam moved into general dental practice, firstly in Johnstown, North Wales, and then Altrincham, Cheshire. He then decided he would like to work with patients with special needs and joined Wirral Community Dental Service in 1986, where Jane was already working. Adam obtained his Master of Dental Science in Clinical Community Dentistry from Birmingham in 1993. He became Clinical Director in 2004 and was also a tutor for dental students from Liverpool. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.

In 2005, Adam followed his dream of living in Devon and started working in Exeter Salaried Service, where, in 2010 he became a specialist in special care dentistry. Adam also tutored students from Peninsula Dental School and was an inspiration to students and peers alike.

Adam loved living and walking on Dartmoor, and the South West Coastal path. He spent many happy weekends with his grandson Harry, introducing him to bird-watching and building him a tree-house. His passion was spending time with his family.

Only a few days before Adam's death, he went back to Liverpool to see his son, James, graduate with honours in medicine. Adam was most proud.

His untimely death has been a loss to the profession. Colleagues, patients and friends will greatly miss Adam's sense of humour, loyalty and friendship. However, he will be missed most by Jane, his children Hannah and James, grandson Harry as well as his mother Marjorie, sister Helen and brother Edward.