Gary Royston Pollock (1959-2012) died on the 24 September 2012 after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Despite the best of care, his death came surprisingly quickly for all concerned.

He was a product of Latymer school in North London. He studied at the Royal London Dental Hospital and graduated BDS in 1981, which was quickly followed by LDSRCS the following year. After house jobs at the London he entered general practice in Berkhampstead, and then returned to the London as a registrar in conservative dentistry. At this time Gary realised that he wanted to become a specialist and work in hospital practice. He undertook a masters course in conservative dentistry at the Eastman Dental Hospital (1986-88), whilst continuing registrar training in prosthetics at the Royal London Hospital. Gary gained his membership in restorative dentistry from the RCS Edinburgh, awarded his Fellowship in 1999 and was appointed consultant and honorary senior lecturer at the Royal London Hospital in 2003. Gary also had attachments to Parkside Community Trust, The Central Middlesex Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. During his hospital career he worked in private practice and with Unilever. Most recently he ran a successful practice in Buckhurst Hill.

Gary was at the peak of his profession. He was widely respected by his peers and his undergraduate and postgraduate students. He had good judgement and a 'good pair of hands'. He was popular, sensible and caring. He was approachable and it was easy to discuss professional and personal matters with him. He had a good sense of humour. This year he was President of the British Society for Restorative Dentistry. Nobody will forget the dignity and bravery that he showed when presiding over the May meeting in Cambridge this year whilst confined to a wheelchair or the use of sticks.

Whilst enthusiastic about his work, above all Gary loved his family and his dogs. He was a devoted husband to Jo, whom he married in 1990, and a loving father to Alex, Chloe and Lara. He was a proficient skier, an enthusiastic cyclist and always entertaining company. He will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends and colleagues.