1926-2014

Wilfred George Selley of Exeter sadly passed away on 1 March 2014 aged 88. In 1948 Wilf graduated from Guy's Hospital where there was a wonderful spirit, despite being war time with German rockets falling. He recalled that he took his best plaster impression when holding the tray still, whilst the patient and building vibrated!

After qualifying, Wilf spent four months working in the new preventative dentistry department before being posted to Sandhurst to join the Royal Army Dental Corp undertaking 18 months of National Service.

In 1951 he returned to Exeter and joined his father's practice, although he continued his academic study and gained his FDSRCS in 1952. He was appointed part-time associate specialist oral surgeon at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital from 1951-1991.

In the early 1960s Wilf increased his hospital sessions, developing a special interest in the early management of cleft palate babies and started combined plastic/speech/dental clinics. This led on to research between 1975-2000 as an Honorary Research Fellow, Medical Physics Group, University of Exeter and the development of objective non-invasive diagnostic aids related to 'cleft palate type speech' and further research regarding the co-ordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing in feeding infants. His reputation and research required him to lecture in the USA, Europe, Jordan and Singapore. He had 32 publications.

He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy in 1987. He was an active member of the LDC and BDA and was elected President of the Western Counties Branch in 1975. He retired from general practice in 1986 but continued his work with a five year emeritus appointment at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. He always thought he was fortunate to have combined general practice, the stimulus of his hospital appointment and his research.

Wilf was happily married to Audrey for 64 years. He was a wonderful inspirational father to their four sons and one daughter, adored grandfather to 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. His son Mike and daughter Liz followed his footsteps into the profession as did his grandson Charles who is currently training, a third generation at Guy's!