Obituary

MARK LINGARD BVSc, MRCVS

I first met Mark in the mid 1980s. I was a veterinary assistant in Colchester and he came to work as a locum for a few months. He had arrived from his first job in mixed practice with Hampton Veterinary Centre in Malpas having just gained a certificate in veterinary radiology. He immediately began to improve the standard of practice and perform orthopaedic operations that we dedicated small animal vets had never attempted. He was never frightened or intimidated by the daunting aspects of veterinary surgery but neither was he unable to see when a case required further investigation by those with more specialised knowledge. To this end he took a year out of practice to study for a diploma at Cambridge University and despite playing truant from the vet school more often than he should, passed the exam with ease. Times in Hong Kong and Australia followed where he continued to improve his equine skills. This was his greatest love and the field in which he was to spend most of his professional career. He also attended a three month long acupuncture course in China acquiring a skill that he was to employ in horse and small animal patients alike.

It was whilst working in a Sydney that Mark met his future wife and fellow veterinary surgeon, Michelle. Both were working at the Randwick Veterinary Practice in Sydney and he managed to persuade her to return to England where they set up a practice at Out Rawcliffe, Lancashire. They worked as a team from that time till the end resulting in Moy Farm Veterinary Centre and Animal Medical Centre, thriving in both the small animal and equine fields. Mark’s ability in the interpretation of radiographs resulted in dog breeders journeying from far and wide to have their hip dysplasia films taken at the practice. He would view them in the light of his experience as well as knowledge of the panel of scrutineers assessing at that time. He was also a radiological protection advisor till the regulations and training became too onerous to combine with running a busy practice.

Mark had many outside interests and was a well respected member of the local community. He was head of governors at the primary school, a side warden for the parish church and parish councillor. But perhaps his greatest passion, after family and veterinary practice, was rugby football. He played for Wrexham whilst at Malpas, Sudbury when in East Anglia and for the local team, Thornton Cleveleys throughout his time in Lancashire. He told me that he felt that he had played his best rugby whilst in his mid forties which he was sure was an indication of the maturity of his game rather an indictment of what had come before! He was particularly fond of Labrador retrievers one of whom would always been seen in his company even if a small dachshund could also be found running between its legs.

Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumour 18 months ago. He bore his final illness with great bravery, the slow deterioration with equanimity and not on a single occasion did I witness any self pity. He was keen to save his young children, Kate and Oscar, from the full knowledge of his condition and encourage life to go on for them as normally as possible. In Michelle he had the most supportive of partners who cared for him till the end allowing him to die peacefully at home.

The funeral was a held in the local church Mark had attended in Out Rawcliffe. It was full, with many people standing in the aisles and others gathered outside in the chill autumnal air. There were veterinary surgeons from his first practice, rugby playing team mates from the last thirty years, many members of the local community including teachers from the schools, as well as clients, friends and colleagues. All had their stories to tell of agreat character with an appetite for life and food like no other, a fierce love and loyalty to his family and a care and skill in veterinary practice rarely matched. Our condolences go out to all his family but particularly Michelle, Kate and Oscar who he loved so much.

WRITTEN By CLOSE FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE

TOM CLARKE BA,VetMB,CertVR,CertSAS,MRCVS