Wilfred Howe
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7419.874-b (Published 09 October 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:874
Data supplement
- Wilfred Howe
Former occupational physician and corporate medical director Conoco Inc (b Pelton, Co Durham, 13 July 1946; q Newcastle University 1969; MRCGP, MFOM), died from adenocarcinoma of the lung on 31 July 2003.After qualifying, Wilf trained in anaesthetics before entering general practice in Middlesborough, gaining his MRCGP in 1977. Finding general practice less than satisfying, he found his true vocation in occupational and environmental medicine. He worked initially in the public sector before taking his global role for the US oil company Conoco. Wilf established himself as a respected specialist in his chosen field and as a generous mentor of others. He took a leading role in several national and international industry health organisations, where he was responsible for leading significant contributions to the improved health protection for those in the world of work.
An energetic and intelligent man, Wilf’s lung cancer, an ironic diagnosis for an ardent anti-smoker and discovered by chance prior to a routine operation, prematurely and tragically cut short his career. It also robbed him of his great plans to retire to France with his wife, Lyn, to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, the opportunity to develop his talent for watercolour painting, and the particular expertise he had for DIY.
Inherently cheerful, Wilf faced the certainty of his illness with typical down to earth equanimity and realism. His great sense of humour and compassion helped both his family and friends through those difficult times.
He leaves his wife, Lyn, and three daughters. [David McKinlay, Chris Roythorne]