OBITUARIES

Colin Keith Maxwell Imrie

Colin Imrie was born in South Wales finally decided upon dentistry and entered Leeds Dental School. It and educated at the Cathedral School at was during his time there that he met his wife Jean who was read- Llandaff, near Cardiff, and later at ing medicine. They married in 1953 in North Lincolnshire — an Taunton School. event which Colin often proclaimed as ‘the best day’s work I ever On completion of his education Colin did’. was commissioned into the Indian Army Following graduation, Colin established a dental practice in the and served for five years on the North town of Barnoldswick, then part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, West Frontier, years which included the which expanded steadily, eventually serving over 7,000 patients. time of partition. As well as becoming a representative on the Local Dental Commit- It was during this time that he forged firm friendships with men tee, he was also an active member of the Royal British Legion, of differing religious faiths — Christian, Muslim and Hindu — so becoming president of the Barnoldswick branch and finally characteristic of Colin’s tolerance of the beliefs of others. Last year appointed Life Vice President. he revisited Pakistan and was very warmly welcomed by members After retiring from this practice in 1985 Colin started a part- of his old regiment and given such a reception that he regarded time one in Gargrave, North Yorkshire and worked there until that holiday as one of the highlights of his life. retiring full time in 1990. Still ever active in retirement, he studied After leaving the services he considered a career in agriculture and gained a BA degree from the Open University. and worked for a time on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, but Moving home to the village of Long Preston, North Yorkshire, Colin and Jean settled to fifteen very happy years in the communi- Colin established a dental practice in the ty they found there. Colin died suddenly and unexpectedly on February 14th 2002 town of Barnoldswick. . . which aged 76. At a service in the village church of Long Preston the building was packed with friends, colleagues and neighbours expanded steadily, eventually serving coming together to celebrate a full life, as well as express their sympathy to his wife Jean and daughters Anne, Jill and Heather over 7,000 patients. on their loss of a loving husband and father. Edward Lowery

John Michael Castle

John Castle died suddenly on 14 Octo- ber 2001 while he was fishing on the John was renowned for the enthusiasm, River Lune, not far from his home near Carnforth, Lancashire. He was 63 and dedication and thoroughness he applied had retired from dentistry two years pre- viously. He was born in Cartmel in the to any task he undertook. . . Lake District, where he spent his child- hood enjoying the South Lakeland into an active and well supported organisation once again. countryside and especially fly-fishing, It was not just fishing itself which absorbed John’s interest, but which became his lifelong and passion- he also had a detailed knowledge of the biology and needs of ate interest. After attending Ellesmere College, he studied dentistry salmon, which he applied to its conservation and protection wher- at Liverpool University and qualified in 1962. ever he could. His knowledge and views were highly respected and Following qualification, he joined a dental practice in Birken- he became an adviser to the North Atlantic Salmon Fund and a head and then in 1969 he moved to a practice in Lancaster where national Council member of the Salmon and Trout Association. he worked for the rest of his professional life. Locally he served as the Vice Chairman of the Lune and Wyre Fish- He practised both in Lancaster and at a branch surgery in Ben- ery and produced their annual reports. tham, North Yorkshire. John was especially appreciated by his His advice was sought by some of the world’s leading fish con- patients for the interest he showed in them as individuals, his good servationists including Iceland’s Orri Vigfusson, who has been humour and his professional and sympathetic manner. He was instrumental in efforts to save the Atlantic salmon. Apart from well-respected by his professional colleagues and became fishing, he had interests in history, art and literature. He and his involved with the running of the Lancaster and Morecambe BDA wife, Jane, especially enjoyed their trip to St Petersburg, as the Section. He was secretary in 1974 and chairman in 1975. Romanov period was one of John’s many specialities. John was renowned for the enthusiasm, dedication and thor- John Castle is survived by Jane, whom he married in 1965, oughness he applied to any task he undertook and this particulaly their two children, Katherine and Alexander and two grandchil- benefited the Section in the early 1980s, when he served as secre- dren. His premature and unexpected death has shocked his family tary for a second time: the Section had started to fall into decline, and friends and he will be greatly missed by them all. but John, with his skills and commitment, helped to build it up Keith Woods

BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL VOLUME 192. NO. 8 APRIL 27 2002 481