A
tribute and until we meet again in Colombo
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Tue, Dec 17, 9:05 PM (7 hours ago)
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I was touched by this appropriate
tribute to you. It was great meeting you and Renata and also getting to
know Renata a bit better. Have a safe journey to Germany and see you when you
are back, Warmest Regards to Renata and you from Kanthi and self,
Charlie I am copying this to Phillip who keeps us all connected
via his dedicated website.
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Dear
Philip
Trust you
are keeping well. I heard recently Derryck de Silva has been unwell. We have
known each other for many many years. I have written a tribute to him which I
will send to you for publication in your batch blog. I feel it is best, if
possible, to write about a friend when he is alive. I have spoken to him last
week and he is on treatment. let us hope all will be well.
Take
care
Kind
regards
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Derryck De Silva – A
Tribute to a friend
Derryck had his
education at Wesley College Colombo in the 1950’s. There he had an
impressive academic record. He was a keen Boy Scout and a member of
the 14th Colombo Scout Troop. For his duty and
commitment he won the Queen Scout Award, the ultimate decoration for a Boy
Scout. Derryck was a keen rugby player and represented the school in the Ist
XV. There is no greater honour for any schoolboy than being the head boy of the
school. He was appointed the Senior Prefect in 1957. Derryck held this position
with flair, style and swagger. He was an all round student and to this day
remains intensely loyal to his old school.
In 1960 Derryck was
successful in the University Entrance Examination and won a place in the
Faculty of Medicine in Colombo. He was a popular medical student arriving daily
for his lectures in a big, loud NSU Motor Cycle. This had immense cult status.
It was his pride and joy and the envy of many. His popularity grew in the
Faculty. Amidst fierce competition he was elected the President of the Medical
Students’ Union in 1964. His thank you speech and the party that followed in
the Common room are memories to cherish. Derryck was ever present at the many
raucous evening functions at the Mens’ Common Room when drinks and music were
in plenty and the students let their hair down. He continued with his sports
playing rugby for the Faculty and the University and captaining the University
Hockey “B” Team. He sailed through the difficult medical examinations and
qualified as a doctor in 1965.
Post qualification
Derryck worked at the General Hospital Kurunegala. I started my Internship at
Kurunegala in 1967. Then the House Officers Quarters was a great place of fun
where laughter was endemic. His loud trademark laughter could be heard from his
room at all hours of the day and night. Despite his fun, wit and humour Derryck
was much respected as a hardworking and conscientious doctor. Those were
carefree days of wine and roses with tremendous youthful exuberance. I recall
with much nostalgia the annual Kurunegala Law-Medical match, the many parties
and the sing-songs that brightened up our lives. He continued to enjoy the good
life of a young medic in Kurunegala for 4 years. His work ethic and commitment
to his staff and patients was acknowledged by all.
When Derryck was so much
a part of the Kurunegala scene it surprised us when he resigned from government
service to start General Practice in Tissamaharama. With his wonderful
bedside manner, warmth and humanity, his patients loved him. In a short spell
of time he developed a roaring general practice opening a satellite surgery in
Hambantota. Despite his busy schedule, occasionally, Derryck travelled
many hours to visit his friends in Kurunegala. This was a glorious success
story. But then Derryck had a restless spirit, constantly wanting to better
himself. He had tremendous ambition and motivation to do well in life.
After several years of
service to the rural community, in 1974, he sold his practice and left for the
UK to pursue a career in Radiology. He worked in the prestigious St Mary’s
Hospital in Praed Street London. I knew Derryck at school but got to know him
more closely when we were Senior Registrars together at the Maida Vale Hospital
for Nervous Diseases. We both served two of the best Neuroradiologists of the
time, David Sutton and Brian Kendall. Although the work was difficult and
demanding working with Derryck was such a great pleasure. His forthrightness
and sense of duty stood out and he was well liked by all. When the need arose,
he could be combative. Wherever he worked he established a formidable
reputation as a strong and decisive leader who never shrank from speaking his
mind. He knew where to draw the line. We all remember the time when a hospital
porter called him ‘Derrick’ - he said firmly but with a smile, “call me Dr De
Silva”. Derryck’s wit and humour helped us to overcome the tough and
tedious work of that institution. With Don Anthony and Anand, the Sri Lankan
radiographers who worked with us, there was plenty of spirit and togetherness.
The way we stuck together made us a happy team that enjoyed our Radiology
providing a fine service that was much valued.
In his youth Derryck was
an entrepreneur. Despite the hard work and the onerous routines of Radiology he
continued with his business interests dabbling in the lucrative travel industry
and buying and selling upmarket luxury cars. He spoke so very little of his
burgeoning business empire!!
When he qualified as a
Radiologist Derryck’s wandering star resurfaced. This made him move to Essen in
Germany where he worked in General and Neuro-Radiology. This heralded a period
of great success and achievement. The family were living their dream when
tragedy struck out of the blue. The death of his wife to illness was a
shattering blow. There was much sound advice along with huge amounts of
sympathy but the road ahead was a difficult one. He cared and supported
his children to give them a fine education and a good start in life. His son
and daughter both qualified as doctors. They now live and work in Colombo.
Derryck spent as much time in Sri Lanka as possible with his family enjoying
the time immensely.
We have been friends
since schooldays. What stands out is his honesty, integrity and the ability to
take life in his stride. My lasting memory of Derryck is his love for
sing-songs when he sang “down by the riverside “ standing around a piano. He
knew all the words and its multitude of parodies. More recently his own health
has not been at its best. Derrwick deals with these issues with enormous
courage and characteristic indomitable spirit. He remains cheerful and his
enthusiasm for life has not waned. This wonderful attitude to adversity is a
beacon to us all. Those who know him will remember him as a raconteur and bon
viveur. We wish him many more years of the good life. Doctoring and healthcare
has changed beyond recognition since we started all those years ago. He belongs
to the ever decreasing number of doctors who worked to embody the spirit of
Hippocrates. Meanwhile let us raise a glass of the best Champagne to a friend
and a gentleman.
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