Obituaries

British Medical Journal, Jan 2, 1999

Nilima Choudhury, nee Kundu

General practitioner Merthyr Tydfil (b Calcutta 1937; q Calcutta 1962), died suddenly while on holiday in India on 12 March 1998 three weeks before her retirement. The third of six daughters of a jute merchant, my mother was encouraged to pursue a career in medicine. After arriving in Britain in 1968 she initially trained in obstetrics and gynaecology before joining her husband in general practice. She continued to work despite several major illnesses. She always dressed exquisitely and was an accomplished dressmaker. She had a passion for gardening, including the cultivation of bonsai, and was interested in Bengali literature and classical music. She leaves a husband, Sadhan, and me, her daughter (both doctors). [PAMELA CHOUDHURY]

Philip Ross Harben

Former general practitioner Mildenhall, Suffolk, 1951-89 (b 1922; q Guy's 1945), died from a stroke on 4 October 1998. After national service he entered general practice and developed an interest in manipulative medicine, which he practised for the benefit of his patients. Despite government reforms he insisted on treating his patients as he had always done, giving time to everyone, and he developed an enormous visiting list of the elderly and the infirm. Predeceased by his wife, he leaves a son and a daughter. [B W MAITLAND]

Monica Cynthia Lewin

Former clinical assistant in accident and emergency Whittington Hospital, London (b Jamaica 1925; q Royal Free 1952, FRCS), died from a cerebrovascular accident on 17 February 1998. She returned to Jamaica with her husband, David Atkinson, who she had married while both were students. She was a government surgeon at the Children's Hospital and Kingston Public Hospital and did sterling service during the troubles in the 1960s, often working day and night on horrendous injuries. She returned to England when her husband was appointed consultant urologist, and because her children were still young she worked part time until 1988. After retirement one of her pleasures was being a radio "ham." She leaves a husband; a son and daughter; and three grandchildren. [LORNA CHIPPINDALE]

Rosemarie Dorothy Lincoln

Former psychosexual medicine practitioner (b Norwich 1923; q Royal Free 1946), died from a brain tumour, diagnosed three weeks before she died on 7 September 1998. She inherited her father's imaginative mind--he was a designer and inventor--travelled widely, and never retired. She was a schools medical officer in the early years of the NHS and became increasingly involved in family planning and ultimately psychosexual medicine. She helped to establish the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine. She inherited a great love of sailing from her father and was one of those indomitable and fearless lady helms at a time when the sport was a bastion of male chauvinism. She became captain of the Norfolk Dinghy Association and spent increasing time abroad, particularly Spain, where she kept the boat in which Chay Blyth first attempted single handed circumnavigation of the world. She was on a sailing trip when her final illness became overt. She leaves two daughters (one a clinical psychologist). [WILLIAM JEFFCOATE]

Merlin Marshall

Consultant anaesthetist Newcastle upon Tyne General Hospital 1958-90 (b 1926; q Cambridge/UCH 1950; FRCA), d 17 October 1998. Though his primary responsibility was to the department of neurosurgery, Merlin was conscious of the needs of all acutely ill patients. He played a major part in the planning of an intensive care unit next to the accident and emergency department. He wrote a monograph, Neuroanaesthesia, which was translated into several languages, and he and the haematologist Tom Bird wrote Blood loss and replacement. Popular as a teacher, Merlin travelled abroad as an examiner for the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Outside medicine his interests included riding, painting, and growing his own vegetables. He and his wife worked as medical advisers to the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council. He was a raconteur and generous host, and friends and colleagues have warm recollections of Boxing Day at his home, surrounded by families of all ages. He leaves a wife, Tricia (a consultant psychiatrist); five children; and grandchildren. [R M KALBAC]

George Leonard Plester

Former general practitioner Nuneaton, 1950-90 (b Birmingham 1920; q Edinburgh 1944), died from carcinoma of the caecum on 7 April 1998. He did a BSc in chemistry before entering medical school where he was awarded first prize in theoretical and clinical midwifery and gynaecology. He did junior surgical jobs under Professor Ian Aird, who said that he was one of the best residents he had ever known. His practice in Nuneaton expanded from being run from his home to one of the largest in the area. George worked as an occupational health doctor until his death, taught first aid to British Rail staff, and was active in the St John Ambulance Association. He was active in the local rotary club, being president in 1977, and helped his wife with the Nuneaton Festival of Arts. He was club doctor for many years and latterly president of Nuneaton football club. Predeceased by his wife, Margaret, he leaves a daughter; two sons; and six grandchildren. [W F HENDRY]