It is with deep sadness I received the news of the demise of Derrwick de Silva. As
the news sank in, a video of our long association played in my mind’s eye of school,
medical school and the long years as a medic.
Derrwick had his entire education at Wesley College Colombo in the 1940’s and 50’s.
There he had an impressive academic record. He was an enterprising and lively Boy
Scout and a member of the 14th Colombo Scout Troop. For his duty and
commitment he won the prestigious Queen’s Scout Award. It is the highest youth
award achievable in the Scouting movement in the Commonwealth including the
United Kingdom. Derrywck was a keen rugby player and represented the school in
the 1st 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. Smooth and self-confident,
Derryck held this position with flair, style and swagger.
In 1960 Derrwick 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 for his lectures in a big, loud NSU Motor Cycle. This had huge cult status. It
was his pride and joy and the envy of many. The dashing young Derrwick with his
fun-loving and cheery disposition enjoyed immensely the bohemian life style of
being a medical student. His popularity grew in the Faculty. Amidst fierce
competition, in 1964 he was elected the President of the Medical Students’ Union.
The moment was emblematic of Derrwick’s popularity and status in the faculty. He
was
always impeccably mannered and well dressed.
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 of the
Faculty when drinks and music flowed freely 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 Derrwick worked at the General Hospital Kurunegala. When I
started my Internship at Kurunegala in 1967, he was a Senior House Officer in
Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The House Officers Quarters was a great place of fun
where laughter was endemic. His loud trademark guffaw radiated 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 and of 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. There were shindigs at weekends with plenty of music.
On those fun-filled evenings his well-schooled baritone voice reverberated in the
stillness of the night. It’s impossible to convey adequately the sheer fun of his
vitality, his naughty sense of humour and his roguish charm. He continued to enjoy
the good life of a young medic in Kurunegala for 3 years. Meanwhile his work ethic
and commitment to his staff and patients was acknowledged by all.
Derrwick was so much a part of the Kurunegala scene when one day, from out of the
blue, he announced he would be resigning from his job to start General Practice in
Tissamaharama. His colleagues gave him a farewell fit for a king. I recall the
backslapping and the tears on that fateful day. Within a short time, fuelled by
enthusiasm and energy, he developed a roaring general practice. It was indeed a
testament to his resourcefulness that so soon he was able to open a satellite surgery
in Hambantota. Those walking into his surgery appreciated his wonderful bedside
manner, warmth and humanity. In this rural idyll Derrwick enjoyed a distinguished
and varied life and became a respected member of that community. Despite his
busy schedule, the joy of being with friends never left him. There were times
Derrwick got on his heavy BMW Motor Cycle and travelled several hours to visit his
friends in Kurunegala. This was a glorious success story. But then Derrwick had a
restless spirit, constantly wanting to better himself.
After four 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 Derrwick 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. It was an exciting time in Radiology with
the emergence of computerised imaging. Although the work was difficult and
demanding being with Derrwick was such a great pleasure. His generosity with his
time and his indefatigable work ethic made him fun to work with. Derrwick’s
forthrightness and sense of duty stood out and he was well liked by all. When the
need arose, he could be tough and combative. Wherever he worked he established a
formidable reputation as a strong and decisive leader. He never shrank away from
speaking his mind and 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.
It seemed as though there were more hours in his day than in everyone else’s. In
his youth Derrwick 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 little
of his burgeoning business empire!!
When he qualified as a Radiologist Derrwick’s wandering star resurfaced. Many of his
peers and tutors were astonished when he decided to leave the UK. He moved to
Essen in Germany where he learnt the language and continued to build his career
working in General and Neuro-Radiology. Resourceful as ever, for Derrwick, 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 first wife to illness was
a shattering blow. There was much 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. Derrwick spent a great deal of time in Sri Lanka with his wife Renate and
the extended family.
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 Derrwick is his love for
sing-songs when he sang the famous spiritual “Down by the Riverside “ standing
around a piano. He knew all the words and its multitude of parodies. This image
captures the spirit of the man perfectly.
When Doctoring and healthcare changed beyond recognition over the years Derrwick
remained a part of the ever decreasing number of medics who worked to embody
the spirit of Hippocrates. Retirement meant little for a man whose zest for life was
huge. Not long ago when I phoned him he was renovating an old “Walauwwa” in
Panadura.
More recently his own health has not been at its best. Derrwick dealt with these
issues with enormous courage and characteristic indomitable spirit. He remained
cheerful and his enthusiasm for life never waned. This wonderful attitude to
adversity is a beacon to us all.
We pass on our condolences to his wife Renate, son Rohitha and daughter Nilmini
who gave him their love and care all through his final illness. We will always
remember Derrwick with great affection.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.
