It is with much sadness that I report the death of our dear friend and trustee of the Tracy Trust, Dr. John Lunn, on the 23rd December 2020 at his home in Hedgerley.
John was trustee for almost twenty years, the longest serving trustee of our charity to date. He was appointed in spring 2001 by Donald Vincent, then Chair of the Tracy Trust, who also sadly died last year. John became Chairman when Donald retired in July 2009, a position he held for four years. He handed over to our present Chairman, Chris Woodwark in 2013 but continued to be a trustee. John remained active, committed and dedicated to the charity’s work right up to the end of his life.
Dr. Lunn was a medical doctor who completed his studies at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, qualifying in 1953. He later acquired post-graduate qualifications, an MD by thesis, an FFPHM and an FFOM by honorary award. His first house job was at Edgware General Hospital and his second was back at St Mary’s Hospital.
He completed two years’ National Service, acting as a medical officer in the Suez Canal zone during the last year of the British Army’s occupation and on active service in Cyprus during the EOKA campaign. John outlined his experiences in a book ‘Memories of a National Service Doctor’ which was published in 2018. He wrote: ‘During my two years National Service in the Royal Army Corps, I was privileged to meet, and at times help, many courageous, selfless and caring people; people whose qualities I hoped that I could emulate should I ever be in the circumstances they found themselves. When faced with badly wounded soldiers, I felt humbled to witness their fortitude and courage...….. I learnt the strengths that people could summon in extreme adversity.’
It was at St Mary’s Hospital, in the Almroth - Wright ward, which was a specialist unit for treating tuberculous meningitis, that he met a charge nurse called Maureen who became his wife in 1957. John and Maureen moved to Farnham Common in 1959. He took a post at the Slough Occupational Health Service which included working with the local orthopaedic and hand surgeons and helping in their respective clinics. Ten years later he was appointed to start the Occupational Health Service at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow at the time of the hospital’s opening. This was followed by a senior lectureship at St George’s Hospital, London and then a similar post at St Mary’s Hospital, London. In 1988 an opportunity arose to be appointed consultant in Occupational Medicine back at Northwick Park Hospital where he stayed until he retired in 1996. He continued to do locum clinics there until July 2005.
John’s medical background ensured that people were at the forefront of his thinking and decision-making with the Tracy Trust. He took his responsibilities seriously, and the sensible approach to everything he did was his hallmark. John was forward thinking; he would always listen to new ideas and was constructive when implementing them. He would respond quickly and thoughtfully in his role of trustee. John epitomised the perfect gentleman and was also a ‘gentle’ man. Alongside his seriousness of purpose, he had a wicked sense of humour; John loved to laugh!
John’s fellow trustees, Chris Woodwark, Jim Cannon, Gail Hurst and I always enjoyed working with him and we actively sought his advice and ideas. We greatly respected his medical perspective and his ability, as well as his desire, to work effectively for the charity to the end of his days. We send our most sincere condolences to his wife, Maureen and his three daughters, Kate, Juliet and Joanna. It is an understatement to say that he will be greatly missed by us all.
Vanessa Pilgerstorfer
January 2021
Dr. Lunn was a medical doctor who completed his studies at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, qualifying in 1953. He later acquired post-graduate qualifications, an MD by thesis, an FFPHM and an FFOM by honorary award. His first house job was at Edgware General Hospital and his second was back at St Mary’s Hospital.
He completed two years’ National Service, acting as a medical officer in the Suez Canal zone during the last year of the British Army’s occupation and on active service in Cyprus during the EOKA campaign. John outlined his experiences in a book ‘Memories of a National Service Doctor’ which was published in 2018. He wrote: ‘During my two years National Service in the Royal Army Corps, I was privileged to meet, and at times help, many courageous, selfless and caring people; people whose qualities I hoped that I could emulate should I ever be in the circumstances they found themselves. When faced with badly wounded soldiers, I felt humbled to witness their fortitude and courage...….. I learnt the strengths that people could summon in extreme adversity.’
It was at St Mary’s Hospital, in the Almroth - Wright ward, which was a specialist unit for treating tuberculous meningitis, that he met a charge nurse called Maureen who became his wife in 1957. John and Maureen moved to Farnham Common in 1959. He took a post at the Slough Occupational Health Service which included working with the local orthopaedic and hand surgeons and helping in their respective clinics. Ten years later he was appointed to start the Occupational Health Service at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow at the time of the hospital’s opening. This was followed by a senior lectureship at St George’s Hospital, London and then a similar post at St Mary’s Hospital, London. In 1988 an opportunity arose to be appointed consultant in Occupational Medicine back at Northwick Park Hospital where he stayed until he retired in 1996. He continued to do locum clinics there until July 2005.
John’s medical background ensured that people were at the forefront of his thinking and decision-making with the Tracy Trust. He took his responsibilities seriously, and the sensible approach to everything he did was his hallmark. John was forward thinking; he would always listen to new ideas and was constructive when implementing them. He would respond quickly and thoughtfully in his role of trustee. John epitomised the perfect gentleman and was also a ‘gentle’ man. Alongside his seriousness of purpose, he had a wicked sense of humour; John loved to laugh!
John’s fellow trustees, Chris Woodwark, Jim Cannon, Gail Hurst and I always enjoyed working with him and we actively sought his advice and ideas. We greatly respected his medical perspective and his ability, as well as his desire, to work effectively for the charity to the end of his days. We send our most sincere condolences to his wife, Maureen and his three daughters, Kate, Juliet and Joanna. It is an understatement to say that he will be greatly missed by us all.
Vanessa Pilgerstorfer
January 2021