Charles Nathaniel (“Natty”) Armstrong

Consultant physician Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1931-62(b Newcastle upon Tyne 1897; q Durham 1921; MD, FRCP), d 19December 1998.He served as a surgical sublieutenant in the first world war and returned to Newcastle, hoping to become a consultant neurologist. Forestalled by a senior colleague, he became a general physician, but began to specialise in endocrinology. He became a founder member of a new section of the subject at the Royal Society of Medicine and later president. In 1939he was appointed clinical subdean at the medical school and held the post until he retired at 65.His most appreciated memorial is the excellent lecture theatre at the RVI, which was named after him. He became interested in the problems of intersex, and his criteria for consideration in cases of disputed sex were used by several judges. He gave lectures on the subject in Britain and abroad. After retirement he was appointed regional director of postgraduate medical education. At the age of 87he recorded all these activities in the presidential address he gave to the Durham and Newcastle Medical Graduates Association. Despite bilateral macular degeneration he continued to attend medical and other functions until past his centenary. Predeceased by his wife, Barbara, he leaves two daughters; six grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

[H A Dewar]

Charles Richard Berkin

Former orthopaedic surgeon Hull (b 1920; q Leeds 1945(with distinction); FRCS), died from prostate cancer on 31August 1998. The son of temperance missionaries, he was brought up in Kuling, China, and returned to England to complete his education and study medicine. After junior appointments, Dick went to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where he studied the treatment of deformities of the spine. He developed a special interest in spinal surgery, including scoliosis, and on his appointment as consultant in Hull provided a regional scoliosis …