Secretariat

Obituary: Dr Sam Devaraj

Colleagues will be very sorry to learn of the death, on 14 November 2003, of Dr Sam Devaraj, former Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology.

Dr Devaraj graduated MB,BS from Madras Medical College, Madras University in 1957 and went on to complete a Diploma in Clinical Pathology and an MD (Bacteriology) at the same University. Having worked for the Indian Government in several areas of pathology, including vaccine production, and after a brief secondment to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, he was appointed as Lecturer in the then Department of Bacteriology (later Microbiology) at Leeds in October 1965. Emeritus Professor Richard Lacey, a friend and former colleague, has written of Dr Devarajs time at Leeds in the following terms:

Initially, Dr Devaraj worked on a number of research projects including the epidemiology of gas gangrene and the bacteria responsible for respiratory and urinary tract infections. However, after a year or so, it became clear that Sams true vocation was towards patient care in the Infirmary, and in teaching, and in subsequent years he excelled in these, combining careful preparation, consultation, understanding and quiet unselfish dignity. In particular, his organisation of the microbiology course and examinations for dental students was exemplary. His understated authority gave great confidence to colleagues in the Department, for which he showed remarkable loyalty.

Dr Devaraj retired in February 1995, after thirty years service to the University and to the health service within Leeds.

Published: 26 November 2003