It is with sadness and regret that I announce the death of John Kenneth Bowker. Ken, as he was known by his friends and colleagues, died peacefully on 13 August 2013 with family by his side.

Ken was born on 21 July 1918 in Clitheroe, Lancashire and was educated at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, continuing his studies at Edinburgh Dental School and the Royal College of Surgeons where he graduated in 1942.

He was briefly an assistant in general practice but shortly joined the army as a first lieutenant and was soon promoted to Captain and then Major in the Royal Army Dental Corps. During World War 2 he commanded dental operations during the campaign in North Africa. He married Margaret Paterson Corke in 1945 prior to being drafted to the Middle East. He was demobilised in 1946 and awarded the rank of Hon. Major for life.

On his return to the UK the couple lived briefly in Perthshire before returning to his home town of Clitheroe in December 1947, where Ken opened Cramond House Dental Practice on York Street with his colleague Frank Parrott.

Ken devoted himself to a life of service in the local community where he was well known and respected. He was a very keen member of the local Rotary Club becoming its President in 1960. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, the Rotary Club's highest honour for service. His late daughter Helen settled in the USA, and Ken forged links between his mother club in Clitheroe and several American clubs.

Ken had a special interest in oral surgery and for 23 years worked as a clinical assistant to the consultant oral surgeon at the Blackburn Hospital Group. He served as President of the Blackburn and District Medical Association in 1966/7 and 1975/6.

Ken was a keen and active member of Ribble Section BDA, from where he was appointed on to the North Western Branch Council as a section representative. He was a regular attender at branch council meetings and represented the area on the National Representative Board of the BDA during the 60s and 70s. He was twice nominated and served as Branch President in 1966 and 1975. He was appointed Honorary Life Vice President of the Branch in 1988 for his long and loyal service, and received Life Membership of the BDA in 1990.

In their spare time Ken and his wife, Margaret, who died in 2004, were keen caravan enthusiasts. He had a strong interest in woodwork and played violin in the local orchestra.

Ken is survived by his sister, and daughter, Roslinde, sons-in-law, David and Hefni, and four grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and colleagues, and I was very proud to have known him.