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Sep 21,
2019, 2:37 PM (2 days ago)
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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.
Memories are made of this- Please click on the web-link below:-
https://youtu.be/zg2OdnpMWpg
21:59 (8 hours ago)
