The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7383 p57
14 January 2006

Society summary

Pealing On 18 December 2005, Brenda Margaret Pealing, of Walton, Liverpool. Miss Pealing registered in 1944 and retired from the register in 2000. In 1980 she completed 30 years’ service at the Ormskirk and District General Hospital.

Train On 18 December, David Train, FRPharmS, aged 86, of Ridgeholme, 3 Grayland Close, Bromley, Kent BR1 2PA. Dr Train registered in 1941 and graduated BPharm in 1942. From 1942 to 1945 he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a non-medical officer and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry during active operations against the enemy. After a year as an assistant lecturer at the Pharmaceutical Society’s School of Pharmacy, he was given leave of absence to study at Imperial College, University of London, where in 1949 he gained a BSc degree in mechanical engineering with first class honours. In 1949 he returned to the “Square” (by then also part of the University of London) as lecturer in pharmaceutical engineering science. In 1956 he gained a PhD in the university’s faculty of engineering. In 1959 the university awarded him a readership but in 1961 he left to become a partner in a firm of consulting chemical engineers.

Tribute

Hunt In a tribute to the late John Anthony Hunt (PJ, 24/31 December 2005, p779), GEOF BOOTH writes:

It was with a mixture of sadness and relief that I heard the news of John Hunt’s death — sadness at losing such a good friend and relief that at last he was freed from the illness he had quietly accepted and endured for so long. He had never fully recovered from the totally unexpected death of his much loved wife Hazel, a loss which he bore with admirable stoicism.

John was a wonderful companion to be with at any time, full of humour and compassion. This was a gentleman in the full sense of that word, caring and solicitous for others.

He qualified in 1957 at Bradford and was a prominent proponent of the marvellous spirit that was the hallmark of that year’s students. He was instrumental in ensuring that the group continued to hold reunions at five-yearly intervals ever since — an astonishing record that I believe has never been matched.

The profession has much to be grateful to him for his steadfast support of pharmacy practice from its inception. He it was who was responsible for the establishment and support of the first UK chair of pharmacy practice at Bradford, appropriately designated as the Glaxo chair in relation to his influence as a director of Glaxochem Ltd.

He was an avid supporter of the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and had a long interest in pharmaceutical history. He was a prominent member of the British Society for the History of Pharmacy, for which he wrote a number of articles, and he was a most entertaining lecturer. This interest was manifest in the study for his doctorate. His 400-page thesis [on the development of pharmaceutical services in the British welfare state] was a masterful piece of literary writing, impeccably produced and with clarity in superb English. I can recommend it to anyone for the sheer pleasure of reading and for its erudition.

He remained philosophical when he knew the end was shortly inevitable. His many friends remained constantly in his thoughts. I was privileged to have known John. The world always seemed a better place for his presence.

Zeelenberg (Cutler) In a tribute to the late Saskia Zeelenberg (Mrs Cutler) (PJ, 7 January, p27), MICHAEL CYMBALIST writes:

In addition to her activities with other sectors of the profession, Saskia Zeelenberg worked, albeit for a relatively short time, with the Industrial Pharmacists Group Committee when I was a member of it. She immediately established herself as a great asset. Her quick grasp of the often complex and specialised issues discussed was impressive. When she left us for the hospital committee we missed her friendly smile as well as her competence and eagerness to help.

Saskia was a genuinely warm and sincere person. It was a privilege to have known her. We sympathise with her husband on his great loss.