Brian Edwards (1934–2024)

On 4 July 2024, Brian Edwards MPharmS, aged 89 years, of Heswall, Wirral. Mr Edwards registered with the Society in 1955. 

Tribute

Brian Edwards was a proud Mancunian and one who dedicated his academic career to the profession of pharmacy.

He attended Manchester Central Grammar School from 1946 to 1951 and then moved on to the University of Manchester where he obtained a Pharmaceutical Chemist’s Diploma (with distinction) in 1955, followed by an MSc by Research (awarded The Wild research prize) in 1958. He joined Liverpool Regional College of Technology as a lecturer in 1962. In 1965, he became a senior lecturer and subject leader for professional studies in pharmacy, a position he held until his retirement from academia in 1989.

During his career, in what later became Liverpool John Moores University, he studied part time for a Graduate Certificate in Education (Division 1: 1970) and was awarded an MEd (by advanced study and research) from the University of Liverpool in 1975. This initiated his interest in the history of pharmacy and pharmacy education. He was a committee member for the British Society for the History of Pharmacy from 1977 to 1980. 

Brian worked in all three main branches of pharmacy. He was a locum for many years during his academic career and worked as a community pharmacist for five years after his retirement from Liverpool John Moores University. He was also an honorary visiting pharmacist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital; a member of the Industrial Pharmacists’ Group of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. 

He was an expert on the law relating to pharmacy and a member of the board of examiners of the Pharmaceutical Society for Pharmaceutics and the Law Relating to Pharmacy. He was a consultant on Legal Matters to Merrill Dow and to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association.

Apart from his professional life, Brian was an experienced mountain walker, having obtained a Mountain Leadership Certificate in 1972. In his younger days, he enjoyed caving. He was a long-time member of the Wirral Ramblers. He led walks throughout Great Britain and in Europe (including the Alps). He traveled extensively in Europe. He loved classical music, cinema, theatre and steam trains.

Brian had many admirable qualities. He was meticulous in his attention to detail, which is why he was an essential contributor to any re-submission or reaccreditation. He had a willingness to initiate and collaborate with new developments in teaching and learning (e.g. Pharmacy Practice Research and computer-assisted assessment of the Law Relating to Pharmacy). He took a keen interest in the welfare of students both during and after their time at Liverpool John Moores University, and had empathy with, and concern for, the patients that he encountered during his time in community pharmacy.

Brian had a dry, self-effacing sense of humour and enjoyed participating in the annual school of pharmacy staff/student pantomimes. He wrote wittily about his life experiences in “The Other Life of Brian” for the Wirral Ramblers and his former colleagues, the lunchtime Grumpies.

Above all, he was principled, honest and trustworthy in both his personal and his professional life. That is why he was so well respected and will be fondly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have known him, to have been taught by him, and to have walked or worked with him.

He was a kind, loving and gentle man who had a great zest for life. When age eventually caught up with him, he never complained and bore the challenges that it brought with typical stoicism. He passed away peacefully at home aged 89 years, after a full and fulfilling life.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lesley, his daughter and two sons, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

David Armstrong