A key figure in the development of nuclear medicine worldwide, Norman Kennedy, has died at the age of 64.
Mr Kennedy was head of nuclear medicine and deputy director of medical physics at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
He grew up in Broxburn, West Lothian, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree and PhD in physics from Edinburgh University.
He joined the medical physics department of Lothian Health Board at the Western General in Edinburgh and saw his research gain notice across Europe.
In 1982 he became a medical physicist with Tayside Health Board, based at Ninewells. During his time there, he carried out successful research into nuclear medicine using small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of conditions, including cancer and heart disease.
In 2004, he was invited to be one of three judges by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science for an award regarded as the Nobel prize of the Arab world, visiting as an official guest of the Prince of Kuwait.
He was also invited to become an adviser to the UK Government on matters relating to the use of radioactivity in medicine.
While working in the health service, he was appointed as an honorary lecturer at Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen universities.
During his time at Ninewells, he was keen to expand the nuclear medicine service by building a department at Perth Royal Infirmary.
After many years his proposal was finally accepted, with the new department opened in 2011.
In his younger days, he was a keen footballer and was also proud to have played against Graeme Souness in an under-18 school match.
He also played badminton at county level for West Lothian. He was an avid bridge player, winning Perth Bridge Club’s mixed doubles tournament earlier this year.
Mr Kennedy is survived by his wife Trish and six children.