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19 Med. Sci. & L. 274 (1979)
Obituary

handle is hein.journals/mdsclw19 and id is 274 raw text is: 274 Med. Sci. Law (1979) Vol. 19, No.4 Printed in Great Britain Obituary Robert Donald Teare, LLD (Sheffield), MA, MD (Cantab.), FRCP, FRCPath, DMJ, who died on 17 January 1979 at the age of 67 years, was born in the Isle of Man and retained close links with his island birthplace. He was educated at King William College, Isle of Man, Caius College, Cambridge and St George's Hospital, qualifying in 1936 and obtaining MRCP the following year. Some forty years of his distinguished medical career were spent at St George's Hospital, first as house physician, then medical registrar and assistant curator of the museum. During the war he was attached to the Emergency Medical Service as a pathologist and in 1946 was appointed lecturer in forensic medicine at both St George's Hospital Medical School and St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College. He proceeded MD in 1948, was elected FRCP in 1962 and occupied the newly established Reader- ship at St George's Hospital Medical School in 1963, the title of Professor of Forensic Medicine being conferred in 1967. Donald Teare was Vice-Dean of St George's Hospital for several years. His keen interest in students and their activities and his ability to summarize lengthy discussions in committee in a succinct and affable manner made a memorable im- pression. He was a founder fellow of the College of Pathol- ogists in 1963 and Treasurer at a critical stage of its development. The 60s saw Donald Teare at the height of his powers, arguably the most influential medic&- legist of his day, holding the chair of many societies. He was president of the British Association in Forensic Medicine in 1962, the Medical Defence Union in 1964 (previously its treasurer), the Medico-Legal Society in 1965 and as an Apothecary was instru- mental in guiding through the diploma in medical jurisprudence, becoming Master of the Worshipful Society in 1976. He retired from St George's Hospital in the same year, but happily remained active in cor- oners' and medicolegal work. It was to the delight of his many friends and colleagues that he received an LLD (honoris causa) in the University of Sheffield in 1977. Latterly he was Honorary Senior Lecturer in Forensic Medicine at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School. Over the years he examined at many univer- sities, notably London, Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol, the National University of Ireland and Riyadh. Donald's MD on abortion and air embolism was based on his vast experience of sudden unnatural death in pregnancy from criminal abortion, almost unknown nowadays, and he thus lent his support, without publicity, to the Abortion Law Reform Society to implement legislation. At St George's Hospital, single handed and with few facilities or resources, he founded the Department of Forensic Medicine. It was Donald's teaching and ability as a demonstrator that gave an extra dimension to the department. A natural lecturer and raconteur, he illustrated the most bizarre and gruesome cases with amusing and fascinating anecdotes to packed lecture theatres and mortuaries at both his teaching hospitals. Generations of students and doctors will remember his cases, advice and caveats. During this time he was, of course, a very active pathologist and witness, always available to give sound advice to counsel and elucidate their problems in courts of law. He was one of the first generation of forensic pathologists in the country and although he was no man for half truths or deviousness, he had a leavening and stabilizing influence on his colleagues and laid the foundations to improve standards and working conditions in mortuaries and in autopsy work in general. He taught his assistants by example, invariably finding something in any case to excite one's interest. His capacity for work was enormous. There was never an unforgiving minute in his long day and whilst tolerant to the foolish he had no time for doctors who procrastinated on the management of a case, or for charlatanry in any form. Although cautious and conservative by nature, he could act swiftly and ruthlessly to correct an injustice or condemn slovenly medical practice. These occurrences were but rare and his warmth of personality and courteous manner were always extended equally, be it to a junior secretary or to a judge in High Court. His attributes as a pathologist were a keen sense of perception and observation followed by a lucid interpretation of his findings. An intensely practical man, he was not enamoured by lengthy theoretical discussion, coming rapidly to a concise conclusion in a case. In court, whilst ready to consider alternative views objectively, his evidence left little room for successful cross examination. Donald Teare never lost interest in academic pathology despite his ex- clusive involvement in forensic work, this being exemplified by his unique recognition of obstructive cardiomyopathy - known nowadays by clinicians as Tearc's Disease. In his younger days he was active on the rugger field and in the 1930s he was associated with the Bentley racing team at Le Mans. He was later a regular attender at race meetings at Sandown and Goodwood and at the Pavilion at Lords. He was also one time captain of Woking Golf Club and a keen gardener with a penchant for orchids.

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