Obituary - Dr Ian Blacker

1942 to 2008

Former consultant anaesthetist Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust (b 1942; q Leeds 1966; MB, ChB, FRCA).

Died from gastric carcinoma on 22 April 2008.

Following house officer posts in Leeds and Bradford, Ian became a General Practitioner in Keswick for three years. However, a more specialised form of medicine called and he trained in anaesthesia firstly in Lancaster and then in Leeds. He was appointed Consultant Anaesthetist in Bradford in 1975. He became the lead for obstetric anaesthesia and developed a lifelong interest and expertise in anaesthesia for ENT surgery. The large number of staff who requested Ian as their anaesthetist bears testament to his reputation as a caring and skilful practitioner. He was a gifted teacher and always had time for those struggling to find their way, many of whom became friends and, indeed, colleagues. Outside work there were many interests but home and family came a long way first. He was an enthusiastic driver of sports cars and latterly motorcycles, often coming to work in his leathers. A confirmed Francophile, he spoke the language fluently and he and Margaret would tour regularly in France with their caravan at every opportunity.

He leaves his wife, Margaret; and three children.