It was with sadness that I learned of the sudden and untimely passing of Rodger Barnett. I first met Rodger in the early 1980s through the North Metropolitan Branch of the then Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The meetings were held at the University of London School of Pharmacy (The Square), where Rodger was studying for his PhD He moved on from there to join the pharmaceutical development group in Glaxo Research Laboratories. In the 1990s we started to work together in the then GlaxoWellcome and subsequently in GSK.
Rodger truly appreciated the significance of his work in developing new and improved medicines for patients, and had an unwavering focus on doing the right thing for the patients at the end of his work. Around his work he had a tremendous sense of humour; a joke, a funny story or an amusing take on life’s events. He always had a smile and a way of brightening your day. Rodger retired from GSK towards the end of 2019 and it is particularly sad that he had so little time to enjoy his retirement.
Rodger was simply an all-round great guy. He was a credit to his family, a credit to his profession and a delight to his friends. His family were at the centre of Rodger’s life and he radiated pride whenever he spoke about them. My thoughts are with Mandy, Hannah and Sam as they come to terms with their deep and sudden loss. He will be sorely missed.
Gregory Webber