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P R VASSALL-ADAMS MD, PHD . Dr P R Vassall-Adams, most recently a lecturer in anatomy at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School, died suddenly on 8 February aged 41, having just taken up an appointment in Saudi Arabia. Paul Rory Vassall-Adams was educated at Stonyhurst and joined the Middlesex Hospital Medical School for first MB in 1959; his undergraduate career was distinguished, and he took the Meyerstein scholarship in 1963. As an undergraduate he joined the Royal Navy cadetship scheme before graduating MB, BS in 1967. After house jobs at the Middlesex and at Billericay he took up a commission and served in the Royal Navy from 1969 to 1975

He left the navy with the rank of surgeon lieutenant commander and joined Charing Cross Hospital Medical School as a lecturer in anatomy. He completed a PhD on avian cardiac conducting tissue defects in minimum time and then joined the anatomy department at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School. There he continued his research into cardiac conducting tissues, but now in man. The heart transplant programmes of recent years provided opportunities not to be missed, and his contribution resulted in a remarkable MD thesis on the electron microscopic appearances of human cardiac conducting tissues.

These attainments formed only a small part of Rory's life. His abilities spanned two cultures, for he was an expert on Victorian watercolours of such regard that he was retained by a well known London saleroom as its adviser. His recent book on the subject was based on his own collection of paintings. He also possessed the imagination and technical skills required to renovate and convert neglected properties and recreate them into houses of character and charm, doing much of the work himself

All of these talents, perhaps in excess of one man's needs, stemmed from Rory's vigour and the energy that carried him, his family and friends, and his students along with him. When this failed he was bereft, yet his fiercely independent character found help an intrusion. This dilemma had to end in tragedy. His contribution to medicine and the arts greatly exceeded that of many whose span reaches retirement age. An able researcher und an enthusiastic teacher, he was above all a man of integrity and purpose. He is survived by his wife Nicola and his two sons. - MHD

	P R VASSALL-ADAMS MD, PHD . Dr P R Vassall-Adams, most recently a lecturer in anatomy at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School, died suddenly on 8 February aged 41, having just taken up an appointment in Saudi Arabia. Paul Rory Vassall-Adams was educated at Stonyhurst and joined the Middlesex Hospital Medical School for first MB in 1959; his undergraduate career was distinguished, and he took the Meyerstein scholarship in 1963. As an undergraduate he joined the Royal Navy cadetship scheme before graduating MB, BS in 1967. After house jobs at the Middlesex and at Billericay he took up a commission and served in the Royal Navy from 1969 to 1975 He left the navy with the rank of surgeon lieutenant commander and joined Charing Cross Hospital Medical School as a lecturer in anatomy. He completed a PhD on avian cardiac conducting tissue defects in minimum time and then joined the anatomy department at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School. There he continued his research into cardiac conducting tissues, but now in man. The heart transplant programmes of recent years provided opportunities not to be missed, and his contribution resulted in a remarkable MD thesis on the electron microscopic appearances of human cardiac conducting tissues. These attainments formed only a small part of Rory's life. His abilities spanned two cultures, for he was an expert on Victorian watercolours of such regard that he was retained by a well known London saleroom as its adviser. His recent book on the subject was based on his own collection of paintings. He also possessed the imagination and technical skills required to renovate and convert neglected properties and recreate them into houses of character and charm, doing much of the work himself All of these talents, perhaps in excess of one man's needs, stemmed from Rory's vigour and the energy that carried him, his family and friends, and his students along with him. When this failed he was bereft, yet his fiercely independent character found help an intrusion. This dilemma had to end in tragedy. His contribution to medicine and the arts greatly exceeded that of many whose span reaches retirement age. An able researcher und an enthusiastic teacher, he was above all a man of integrity and purpose. He is survived by his wife Nicola and his two sons. - MHD
	British Medical Journal - 7th May 1983