David was born in 1959 and grew up in Surrey. He attended Woking County Grammar School and later read Biochemistry as an undergraduate at the University of Bristol. He began his training in clinical biochemistry as a student on the MSc course at the University of Surrey, whilst his laboratory apprenticeship was undertaken at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. He then spent three years in the North East Thames Regional Immunoassay Service, gaining additional experience and studying for a PhD on the development of a sensitive immunoassay for thyroid stimulating hormone and its use in the assessment of thyroid function during pregnancy. He then moved to Northwick Park Hospital where he took on the responsibility for assays used in the investigation of calcium metabolism, and where he published his first paper on the measurement of parathyroid hormone. In 1987 he moved to Cambridge where he combined his higher specialist training with a research post. He subsequently moved to the London Hospital Medical College in 1988 to a full time research post and a position as an Honorary Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry. At this time he completed his training as a clinical biochemist with the award of the Mastership in Clinical Biochemistry, and later Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists. Over the next decade he developed his research interests in renal disease and became a Senior Lecturer in the new department of the combined St Bartholomew’s and Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Renal Research Director In 1998 David moved to the position of Scientific Director for the South West Thames Institute of Renal Research at St Helier Hospital. In 2000 he was appointed as the first Director of the Research and Development Directorate at the Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust. During this period he also developed close links with the Department of Chemical Pathology in the Trust and began to play an increasingly influential role on the faculty of the MSc course at Guildford. He was also appointed Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Renal Medicine at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London. He served as the Chair of the South Thames NHS Regional R and D network and as the Scientific Adviser to the UK Renal Association. In this latter role he had a major influence in helping to develop the Renal Registry, and on the way in which laboratory medicine was perceived, and used, in improving the care of patients with chronic renal disease. In his career as a clinical biochemist David published 54 peer reviewed papers, 25 reviews and was co-editor of two very successful books. He coauthored over 140 posters for scientific meetings and gave many lectures to a wide range of audiences both in the UK and overseas. He had achieved a large amount of grant income and supervised many students to the attainment of higher qualifications e.g PhDs and MDs, and in this endeavour he was just beginning to see the fruits of his labours at St Helier. Active ACB Member David contributed to many of the activities of the Association including the Analytical investigations Standing Committee of the Scientific Committee, to the Task Force on Speaking Out For Clinical Science and as a National Member of the Association’s Council. More recently , he had been representing the Association in the discussions on the National Service Framework for Renal Disease. He also had a major influence on the training and careers of a large number of clinical scientists, supervising many projects, and helping many students through difficult times either when the experiments did not progress as they were expected to, or when the writing up became a burden. This diary of David’s professional career bears witness to a person of great energy and commitment, both in the development of his own career but also in his contribution to his profession, to his colleagues and to society as a whole. However it does not do full justice to the person, to the warm personality, to the caring nature, or to the individual touch. It is when you begin to appreciate these virtues you gain a better perspective of David’s strengths, and the influence that he had on other people’s lives. This is the legacy that will transcend his passing, and will ensure that his memory lives on in the minds of those who worked with him, who enjoyed his company and his friendship. Many people have lost a good friend and colleague, the Association has lost a loyal and active member who had developed into a superb ambassador for our speciality and our profession. However, more than all of this, society has lost a good man His loss will be felt deeply by many people but our thoughts go particularly to Jane his wife, and to his family.