Prof. Alastair John BELLINGHAM CBE

On opening the latest R.C. Path. Bulletin I was very saddened to see Alastair Bellingham's name on the list of deaths. I worked with him throughout his time in Liverpool, as Senior Registrar and later as Consultant and fellow member of the Regional Haematologist's Committee . Our many telephone conversations usually opened - " Alistair, it's Alstair' . Our mutual rapport was resumed many years later when he was appointed Transition Director of the Liverpool Blood Centre during a time of major reorganisation of the N.B.S. in England.

Even though A.J.B. was in London for most of his distinguished career he certainly made important contributions to Haematology and Transfusion Medicine in Liverpool.

Outside work Alastair was always sociable, not only with his hospitality at home but also in the organisation of Department social events and one of the most memorable was a day out to the Lake District when we all climbed Helvellyn. Farewell Alastair. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known you !

I have fond memories of Alistair's enthusiasm for teaching his junior team on the clinical haematology ward rounds on 'Tropics' ward at the old original Liverpool Royal Infirmary. He was always kind and encouraging and I went on to follow a career as a consultant haematologist in Preston.
RIP.

I'm so sorry to hear about Alastair - initially from the news column of the RCPEd. I was 'Senior Lecturer' and consultant haematologist in his Academic Department at Liverpool from 1975 to 1980 and always admired his clinical acumen and his concern about patient welfare. I also remember the family home near Birkenhead and his attempt to grow a vine (but wasn't around long enough to partake of any resulting vintage). Alastair was a good friend and colleague to me while I was in Liverpool and I did keep in touch for a few years after my move to Edinburgh in 1980. After I moved to Southampton in 1990 we lost touch although I knew he'd moved down to Wiltshire (and occasionally wondered about calling in but, regrettably, never quite got around to it). My best wishes to all his family - I do remember James, Richard and Paul and hope that they and their children will remember a fine father and grandfather.