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Snowdon On 7 March, Derek Winston
Snowdon, of 3 Mayo Drive, Moorside, Sunderland SR3 2QT. Mr Snowdon registered
in 1952 and retired from the
register in 1980. A former senior lecturer in pharmacognosy in the School
of Pharmacy, Sunderland,
he was
co-author with Betty P. Jackson of ‘Powdered vegetable drugs’ (1968)
and its sequel ‘Atlas of microscopy of medicinal plants, culinary herbs
and spices’ (1990). He also contributed to the new monographs included
in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1996. He was designated a fellow of the Pharmaceutical
Society in 1977 for distinction in the profession of pharmacy (see Tribute).
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Tribute
Snowdon In a tribute to the late Derek
Winston Snowdon, BETTY P.
JACKSON writes:
I knew Derek Snowdon from early in 1953, when I was appointed
to the staff at the school of pharmacy in Sunderland to develop the pharmacognosy
department in preparation for the new external honours degree course in pharmacy,
for which the school had recently been approved by the University of London.
At that time Derek was preparing for his BPharm degree, which he obtained
later that year before joining the pharmacognosy staff as an assistant
lecturer.
Those were pioneering days when, under the fatherly guidance of Fred Oliver,
all the staff were endeavouring to master the unfamiliar aspects and techniques
involved in the new honours course — and always just managing to keep at
least one step ahead of the students. Chromatography was then a relatively newly
introduced technique that was well suited to Derek’s conscientious approach,
and he was responsible for introducing good laboratory practice into the course
and training the students in its use.
He was an inspired teacher and would spend considerable time writing and preparing
copies of schedules and instructions — this before hand-out sheets became
a normal teaching practice. His practical schedule on how to use a microscope
became a classic, and woe betide any student who had not bothered to set up the
microscope correctly before attempting to use it! His dry humour and at times
slightly acerbic comments became legendary among the students, who nevertheless
held him in high esteem.
Among his many other skills, Derek was an expert in photography. In addition
to running a popular course for the students, he undertook photographic reproduction
and the preparation of slides for members of staff and research students throughout
the school — all in his spare time. Always a perfectionist, he would not
be content until he had produced the best possible result.
This high standard was maintained in whatever he was doing, and when we were
preparing the work for our books and, later, the descriptions for the British
Herbal Pharmacopoeia, he would go to endless trouble to ensure that every detail
was correct. Inevitably, differences in emphasis and interpretation would arise
between us, but we always managed to agree to a compromise and there was never
any ill feeling on either side.
Derek loved walking in the hills and open spaces and I shall always be grateful
to him for introducing me to the wonders of the Northumberland countryside.
He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the area and I never failed to be surprised
by his familiarity with the landmarks we encountered on our walks. He also
knew
and loved the Lake District, and when we formed a rambling club for the students
and staff he was a reliable leader on our excursions.
Following his retirement in 1983, Derek continued and developed his photographic
skills and over the years I have received some of his beautiful views of Northumberland
and the Lake District, which adorn the walls in my house. He had an eye for
an unusual composition that gave his pictures a unique quality. He was able
to continue
with his long walks for some time, but unfortunately he developed a heart condition
that curtailed them, although he would still drive into his beloved countryside
and enjoy his memories.
As his heart condition worsened he also developed complications from glaucoma
which caused deterioration in his eyesight, and he had to give up driving.
He accepted these conditions with great courage and insisted on keeping his
independence
even when his lifestyle became limited. Those of us who knew him well realised
that it was a merciful release for him when he suffered a heart attack, followed
by a stroke, and died peacefully in hospital.
An intensely shy and private man, Derek found it difficult to form close relationships
with people and he tended to avoid situations that involved making new contacts.
This gave him the reputation of being something of a loner, but those of us
who were able to penetrate his reserve found a highly sensitive, kind and gentle
man with a unique sense of humour. Derek had a gift for finding an apt term
or
phrase to fit any situation. He thought deeply and was always ready to talk
on a wide variety of topics with great interest and enjoyment. I had a high
regard
for his intellect and integrity, and on the occasions when I invited his comments
concerning some problem his response was always shrewd and well balanced. It
was a great privilege to work with him and enjoy his friendship over so many
years, and he will long be remembered and sadly missed. His like will not pass
this way again. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal