1943 – 2015
Gordon Smith died in Wythenshawe Hospital on 7th June 2015 following a progressively restrictive respiratory disease which he endured stoically.
Born in Forfar on 1st November 1943 he qualified BDS St Andrews in 1967, where he won several prizes, and joined their staff before moving to Manchester in 1971 where he was appointed lecturer in conservative Dentistry.
Gordon proved to be not only a skilled clinician and teacher but was also greatly respected by local practitioners through his popular lectures and courses. He researched many aspects of dentistry, being heavily involved with ICI in developing and trialling their light-cured composite resins. He was appointed the first NHS consultant in Restorative Dentistry in Manchester in 1980 and went on to be an Examiner and Regional Adviser to the RCS Edinburgh.
We had the pleasure of being colleagues of Gordon’s for six and 30 years respectively and apart from being extremely competent, found him to be very supportive and cooperative but above all a pleasure to work with. His sense of humour was sharp and perceptive and always delivered with a straight face.
He was also an accomplished accordian player becoming recognised right across the University as a member of the “Auchentoshan Malt Quartet” featuring Prof George Nixon on Piano, Prof Ian Gillespie on fiddle, Dr Bill Beswick on concertina and Gordon (in kilt) on accordian. Their fame was enhanced following a concert they gave at the leaving party of the then Vice Chancellor, Sir Arthur Armitage. It was described as “a mayhem of uproarious, disrespectful humour and dubious musicality”.
Gordon is survived by his wife Pam, daughter Kate and son Graham.
Pip Thomas & John Lilley