Intended for healthcare professionals

Obituaries

Samuel Harold Swann Love

BMJ 2011; 342 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d3143 (Published 08 June 2011) Cite this as: BMJ 2011;342:d3143
  1. Gerald Black

One of the first anaesthetists to specialise solely in the management of children, Samuel Harold Swann Love (“Harold”) was a highly skilled clinician and dedicated teacher. For over 40 years he gave devoted and loyal service to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and played an important part in the development of anaesthetic and intensive care services in the hospital and, indeed, nationally.

Harold was a founder fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and was elected dean in 1976. He was appointed president of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland in 1980 and honorary member in 1988, and greatly enjoyed membership of this society, making many lifelong friends over the years. He was also a founder member of the European Academy of Anaesthesia.

A popular “father figure” in the Children’s Hospital, Harold commanded great respect among his colleagues, and his warm personality was reflected in his close relationships with them. He was an accomplished raconteur and after dinner speaker, with a quick wit and a keen sense of humour.

Harold’s formidable flair for administration was widely recognised, and he chaired the medical advisory committee prior to his appointment as medical administrator to the Royal Group of Hospitals in 1984, a position he served with distinction.

On retirement Harold became honorary archivist to the Children’s Hospital and subsequently produced a thoroughly researched and well-crafted history of the hospital. He was also able to enjoy more time on the famous links of Royal County Down Golf Club. Harold had a deep Christian faith and remained active in his church throughout his life.

Predeceased by his wife, Nora, in 2008, he leaves a daughter and two sons (one a consultant radiologist), nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Notes

Cite this as: BMJ 2011;342:d3143

Footnotes

  • Former consultant paediatric anaesthetist Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast (b 1920; q Belfast 1945; MD, FFARCS), d 19 December 2010.

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