Tributes have been paid to retired consultant plastic surgeon John Kirk, who played a pivotal role in the development of plastic surgery services in Tayside.
A graduate of the University of London, he saw service with the Royal Navy in the West Indies before qualifying as a general surgeon and becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1954.
He subsequently specialised in plastic and reconstructive surgery and developed an interest in the treatment of burns. In 1960, Mr Kirk was appointed as the Eastern Regional Hospital Board’s first full-time consultant in plastic surgery.
He took a lead role in the design of a new ward for burns and plastic surgery in Tayside, and in 1962 the 20-bed regional plastic surgery unit was opened at Ward 19 in Bridge of Earn Hospital, with 10 beds also provided at Dundee Royal Infirmary.
The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh awarded him FRCS (Ed) in 1973 and he retired in 1983.
“He was a superb, tireless and devoted surgeon,” said NHS Tayside consultant plastic surgeon Howard Stevenson. “He was an inspiring teacher and meticulous clinician who demanded the highest standards of himself and those with whom he worked.
“He was greatly loved by the many patients, and their families, who benefited from his surgical skills, humility and pastoral care.”
Mr Kirk, who was 88, is survived by his wife Elaine, to whom he was happily married for 60 years, his daughters Rose and Susan, son John, and five grandchildren.