The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7232 p96
18 January 2003

Aarons Recently, Benjamin Lionel Aarons, MRPharmS, of 5 Telford Avenue, London SW2 4XJ. Mr Aarons registered in 1935.

Atkinson On 3 December 2002, John Edmund Atkinson, of 63 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen AB2 6AT. Mr Atkinson registered in 1969 and retired from the register in 1978 (see Tribute).

Cross On 18 November 2002, Kenneth George Cross, of 2 Furze Way, Walsall WS5 3DG. Mr Cross registered in 1939 and retired from the register in 1992.

Hunterman On 17 November 2002, Israel Hunterman, MRPharmS, of 224 Drummond Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 3DA. Mr Hunterman registered in 1938.

 Maddock On 26 October 2002, David Maddock, MRPharmS, of 16 High Matlock Road, Stannington, Sheffield S6 6AS. Mr Maddock registered in 1959 (see Tribute).

Mellor On 14 November 2002, Philip Alan Mellor, MRPharmS, of 9 Sparrow Court, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire PO13 8LL. Mr Mellor registered in 1980 (see Tribute).

Robertshaw On 11 November 2002, Benjamin Arthur Robertshaw, MRPharmS, of Flat 17, The Highlands, 118 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester M32 8PX. Mr Robertshaw registered in 1937.

Tribute

Atkinson In a tribute to the late John Edmund Atkinson (see above), Professor HOWARD McNULTY writes:

I would like to record the significant contribution to pharmacy made by Dr Ed Atkinson, who died in December at the young age of 62. 

Ed will be known to many pharmacists. He trained at Sunderland School of Pharmacy before obtaining his PhD at Aberdeen University after his tutor moved there mid-study. He then worked in Queen's University Belfast before joining Robert Gordon's School of Pharmacy, where he taught biochemistry for some 30 years until retiring in 1995.

He was a member of the Institute of Biochemistry and joined the Royal Pharmaceutical Society through the then open lecturing route. Although, to my knowledge, he never worked in a pharmacy, he read The Journal avidly to keep in touch with changes in practice.

He was a man who led by example, set high standards and talked common sense, thereby earning respect from his colleagues and students while retaining a tremendous sense of humour and fun. Geordie warmth and friendship was shown to new staff (like myself and my family) and students alike, such that many remained friends (like us) 30 years on. His enthusiasm and support were a driving force in much that the school and students did, and he established the first PhD studentship in the pharmacy school in 1974.

His diverse talents included rebuilding a derelict cottage, being a cub leader for 10 years and most recently, before his illness made him too weak, building a boat with his son Malcolm, which Malcolm and a friend used to row across the Atlantic last January. Ed bore his recent illness with humour, great courage and fortitude and retained his dignity to the end. He is sadly missed and survived by a proud family: his wife Joan and children David, Malcolm and Kathryn, to whom we send our deepest sympathy.

Donations made in his memory have now topped the £1,000 mark and can still be made to the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, 76 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BA, or anonymously by the web (www.scotmnd.org.uk).

Maddock In a tribute to the late David Maddock (see above, SUSAN HAMILTON writes:

David Maddock was a true community pharmacist, who for many years had cared for, listened to, and visited anybody who appeared to need special attention. He was ahead of the current trend to offer a collection and delivery service and his willingness to help was inexhaustible.

David practised his pharmacy in accordance with his Christian faith in a quiet unassuming way. This was evident from the 300 people who were present at his funeral from all facets of his life.

His death was sudden and unexpected. It leaves shock waves that will take a long time to fade away. Our sympathy goes to his widow Dorothy and daughter Celia.

Mellor In a tribute to the late Philip Alan Mellor (see above), BILL TREMLETT writes:

Philip Mellor trained at the Portsmouth School of Pharmacy and entered the pharmaceutical register in 1980. He joined Boots The Chemists in Portsmouth for his preregistration training and remained with them as a manager until he joined Tremletts Chemists Portsmouth in 1990, where he was the managing pharmacist at its Kingston Road pharmacy in the city.

Phil died suddenly of pneumonia at his home in Lee-on-the-Solent. His cremation took place at Porchester Crematorium and was attended by his family and colleagues from Boots and Tremletts.

Reece In a tribute to the late Phillip Neil Reece (PJ, 21/28 December 2002, p893), HUGH GREER writes: I first came to know Phil Reece when he joined the pharmaceutical process development team of the Wellcome Foundation at Dartford in the early 1970s. He quickly established himself as an expert on all aspects of sterile product technology.

His approach to difficult technical problems was characterised by a thoroughness and creativity which inspired those who worked with him. At the same time, he had an unassuming and affable demeanour which was particularly effective in gaining acceptance of his ideas.

Phil expanded his knowledge into the development of non-sterile dosage forms. As well as leading a non-solids development team at Dartford, he joined an international team who visited Wellcome's overseas manufacturing sites to ensure that the highest standards were achieved worldwide. Auditors are not generally popular but Phil was so helpful in guiding the way forward with the introduction of new technologies and procedures that he was soon welcomed with open arms.

In all, Phil visited 44 countries, and they represent the huge contribution that Phil made to influencing the quality of medicines that millions of people have benefited from around the world. By now there were few people in the world who knew more about the development and manufacture of sterile medicines.

Although Phil was primarily a "steriles" man and I was supposed to be the tablet expert, on more than one occasion abroad I was referred to Phil to solve tableting problems — a measure of the confidence people had in him.

After the merger of Wellcome with Glaxo, Phil rose to head the pharmaceutical development groups at both Dartford and Ware. With the impending shutdown of pharmaceutical development activities at Dartford, Phil moved to Ware to lead a late-stage development group.

More recently, Phil spent a year in Verona where he ran the pharmaceutical development activities there, including analytical development. Once again, his expertise was greatly appreciated as it complemented the work of his new Italian colleagues. His interpersonal skills were greatly praised in smoothing some difficult paths.

Returning to the United Kingdom, he headed new product delivery (an interface between development and manufacturing), managing projects for 12 to 18 months until the merger between GlaxoWellcome and SmithKlineBeecham. After this merger, Phil ran a new chemical entities group, taking molecules from the early stages of development right through to launch.

As a family man, a friend and a colleague there can be few who were as loyal as Phil. During the time I was associated with him in work, he always showed the utmost loyalty and support. Out of work, he was a witty companion and convivial company.

Phil's Christian faith underpinned all that he did in life. He drew strength from it and the gratitude he felt for the gift of Wendy, his wife, and his family, showed in his life. Phil believed that true faith was shown through service to others. This service was carried out quietly and even secretly. Many people experienced Phil's thoughtfulness and kindness, but few will know of his quiet and generous support of several children's charities.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He leaves a wife, Wendy, two sons and their families.