OBITUARY David Skeggs
Dr David Skeggs, who died on 22 December 2010 aged 82, led the team that developed computer-controlled precision radiotherapy, a technique which enables radiologists to focus radiation beams precisely on a tumour, leaving other, healthy cells unaffected. He did his National Service with the Royal Navy, and then decided on a career in radiology. After three years as a trainee registrar at Bart’s and The London Hospital, and two years as a research fellow at St Thomas’s Hospital, he returned to Bart’s as a senior registrar. In 1964 he was appointed director of the radiology centre at the Royal Free Hospital where he remained until 1988. Dr Skeggs left the NHS because of illness, but recovered and became director of radiotherapy at the private Cromwell Hospital until his retirement. He was totally committed to his work, but managed to find time to be a governor of Wycombe Abbey School and a member of the board of visitors of HMP Ford. He was also a governor of the English-Speaking Union from 1999 until 2005 during which time he campaigned for a more active governance. DIALOGUE 8
His family and large circle of friends loved him for his sense of fun, his generosity of spirit and his willingness to give advice on all sorts of medical and health problems. Nothing was too much trouble. An ESU staff member writes: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, David was extremely kind and helpful with information about the type of care that I would receive and the treatment that would be necessary for me to undergo for a few years after my operation and initial chemotherapy. It relieved a lot of worry and stress that I was undergoing at the time. I understand that his conversations with Tom O’Brien, our porter, when he became extremely ill, were similarly helpful.” The ESU sends its sympathies to David’s family and is thankful for gis support.