1920–2015

Tony was born in a Somerset village near Frome, attending a small private school with 10 pupils where he discovered his talent for running. He left school in 1939 and attended Bristol University to study dentistry but at the onset of war volunteered for the Territorial Army resulting in his dental training and athletics being put on hold for seven years. Tony reached the rank of Captain before leaving the army and resuming his studies at Bristol following the end of the war. Whilst still a student he represented England in the Five Nations Cross Country Championship, winning the British Six Mile Championship in 1948 and only missed representing Britain at the London Olympics through injury. He ran the 5,000 metres against the USA and subsequently won the 5,000 metres competing for Great Britain against France. In 1950 Tony won a bronze medal in the Empire Games in New Zealand. In addition to gaining BDS and LDS in 1950, he also won the Dental Gold Medal for his year.

Following qualification Tony Chivers spent 23 years in general practice, both private and NHS, and 12 years as a senior dental officer in the community services. From early in his career Tony took an active role in the local BDA becoming secretary and then chairman of the Southampton Branch as well as treasurer and president of the Wessex Branch Council where he served as President for ten years. He was made a Fellow of the BDA in 1982. Retirement did not cease Tony's involvement in sport, he was a founding member of the Medstead Tennis Club and was made a life member having had the club pavilion named after him when he raised funds to have it rebuilt following a fire. Running remained his love and in 2012, aged 92, Tony became one of the oldest torchbearers to run a stage for the Olympic Games Torch tour of the UK.

This is only a mere precise of the life of a remarkable man, Tony was supported during almost sixty years of married life by his wife, Daphne. He is survived by his son and daughter. For those of us who knew Tony and spent time with him it was a joy and a privilege; if you felt down Tony would always give you strength. However, the work he did with the Benevolent Fund and his insight in founding the Dentists' Health Support Programme and Trust has resulted in hundreds of dentists owing Tony a debt of gratitude, having benefited from his resolve to provide help and support for those in need in his chosen profession. Tony Chivers was a true gentleman and a remarkable credit to the dental profession to which he was proud to belong.