‘He left a department that has gone on from strength to strength, a reminder of Richard’s vision and inspiring professional life’
EMINENT GENERAL SURGEON DIES AT 101
A FORMER Coventry surgeon has died aged 101. Richard Shaw, who worked at Walsgrave Hospital for a number of years, lived in the area even after leaving his job as a general surgeon, before moving to pastures new in his later years.
Born on October 25, 1916, Richard grew up in Yorkshire, studying medicine at Leeds University.
He would later go on to work at Leeds General Infirmary, before being called up for military service.
Initially, he served in Norfolk, where he met his future wife, Jean Hart, before being posted to North Africa, as a surgical specialist in military hospitals.
After returning to civilian life, Richard joined the surgical staff of the Coventry Hospitals as a General Surgeon.
He devoted himself to the development of the urological branch of surgery and in 1968 after the opening of Walsgrave Hospital, the department was awarded national recognition.
He was a member of the International Society of Urologists and served as a member of the Council of the British Association of Urologists
and the Council of the Urological Section of the Royal Society of Medicine to which he was awarded life membership on his retirement. Richard’s knowledge was passed on to future generations, as he published many papers, and was well regarded by both staff and patients alike. When he left, his successor said that he “left an excellent Urological department that has gone from strength to strength; a continuing reminder of Richard’s vision and inspiring professional life.” Richard and Jean were married for 68 years, until her death in 2014. They spent much of their married life in Coventry and Warwickshire – first in Earlsdon, then Westwood Heath, before moving to Leamington. In 2006, they left the area, moving up to Cumbria where they could be nearer to the eldest of their three children, Deborah. Richard’s 100th birthday in 2016 was celebrated by a full turnout of children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren when he gave a very moving speech about his full and interesting life, his happy marriage and family blessings.
Richard’s knowledge was passed on to future generations, as he published many papers and was well regarded by both staff and patients.