Tribute
Stewart In a tribute to the late Alan Finlay Stewart (PJ, 23 August,
p252), Michael Berry, senior lecturer in pharmacology, John Moores
University, writes:
Joining the school of pharmacy in Liverpool, from
a Nigerian University, I was surprised to learn Alan had been born
there, before being educated in Northern Ireland. Here he qualified
as a hockey referee, a skill used in maintaining order when staff played
students! After graduation from Manchester University, he spent a time
in hospital pharmacy before coming to the then private school in the
late 1950s. He was involved in changes in pharmacy education as the
school became a part of the polytechnic, and as senior lecturer in
pharmacognosy, he published on Rauwolfia species with Dr Bill Court.
Alan accepted early retirement in 1989 to practise community pharmacy
on the Wirral.
An analytical microscopist and photomicrographer, he developed a consultancy
when commissioning instrumentation for densitometry, spectroscopy and
chromatography, and had an early interest in interactive wound dressings.
Among the first to introduce new teaching technologies, he used closed
circuit television and videotapes. In retirement he became a computer
buff, a desktop publisher, and completed a course on video editing. He
changed cars frequently, no doubt to test the new gizmos.
A retiring person, he politely declined appearances in the staff pantomime,
but laboured hard on the set and props. Unflappable, he rarely spoke
at staff meetings, maintaining there was no point in repeating what had
already been said. His dry sense of humour and the fact he did not suffer
fools gladly possibly left students with an inadequate view of his sense
of fun and zest for life. He was highly regarded as a valued colleague,
always one of the first to offer help.
His greatest joy was the annual Merseyside Christian Youth Camps, where
young people found friendship, fun and a challenge to faith. Each year
he spent hours preparing accommodation, including installing an industrial
kitchen range, and bought sweets in quantity. His commitment as Elder
benefited Hoylake Chapel, where the problem of incorporating a baptismal
pool in its new building engaged his amused interest. Recently we chatted
in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall during the interval of a Christian
concert. Alan saw worship as “worthship”, and sought to give
God his worth by a life of sacrificial service. Many have testified to
the enormous contribution he made.
On a personal level, I thank him for the example of his life so well
spent. “Hold such in high esteem” (Phillipians 2:29). The
director of school, staff and retired colleagues join me in sending our
sympathy to his wife Norah, children Alison, Philip and Raymond, and
grandchildren. Thank you for sharing Alan with us.
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