Obituary. Anthony Rickwood

Abstract

Anthony (Tony) Rickwood who died in December 2015 aged 75, was an internationally respected authority on the paediatric neuropathic bladder and was amongst the first to introduce urodynamics into paediatric practice. Tony's profound dislike of flying and his passion for railways meant that he rarely attended international meetings which he couldn't travel to by train. Nevertheless, before taking up his consultant appointment at the Alder Hey Hospital he made the journey to the United States to visit a number of major centres. On his return he became one of the first paediatric urologists in Europe to implant artificial urinary sphincters. Tony's clinical practice, publications and teaching were all founded on an unrivalled understanding of the neuro anatomy and neurophysiology of the lower urinary tract. Some of his publications on neuropathic bladder dysfunction in children remain amongst the most authoritative accounts of this condition ever written. Tony spent his childhood in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School. An outstanding pupil, he won a scholarship to Oxford University, graduating in medicine in 1965. He returned to Sheffield for his general surgical training before specialising in Paediatric Surgery. In 1979 he was appointed to a newly created consultant post in which he established an innovative urological service for young spina bifida patients at Sheffield's Children's Hospital and Lodge Moor Spinal Injuries Unit. In 1983 he moved to Liverpool as the successor to Herbie Johnston. Tony made many notable contributions to the development of British Paediatric Urology and was a founding member of the British Association of Paediatric Urologists. He was a regular contributor to the annual training course in Cambridge where his lectures always popular with trainees who relished his dry humour and succinct delivery of the facts. Through his contributions to education and training, Tony sought to reduce the large numbers of unnecessary ”medical” circumcisions being performed in children, predominantly by Adult Surgeons. Although too modest to take the credit he undoubtedly deserved, Tony nevertheless derived great satisfaction from the dramatic reduction in “medical” circumcisions in the UK over the last two decades. Despite a heavy workload, he published many important clinical research papers and was widely respected for his objectivity and freedom from bias. He also wrote many textbook chapters and coedited two editions of Essentials of Paediatric Urology. Tony's passion for railways was reflected in his encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject and his substantial personal contribution to the financial cost of reopening a disused section of the historic Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway. Tony was an outstanding Paediatric Urologist and a true gentleman. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his individuality, sharp intellect and erudite good humour. He is survived by his wife Valerie and their four children.