Obituary: John Ross, Vet and parasitologist

JOHN was born 85 years ago in Glasgow. Although he grew up there he always felt he belonged to the county of Sutherland in northern Scotland from where his parents had come. Summer holidays were spent there and, crucially, at the outbreak of the Second World War he stayed for a school year with his uncle on his croft, helping care for horses. It was this experience that convinced him to become a veterinary surgeon. His love for Sutherland lasted his whole life.

A modest man, John played down his academic achievements. As a boy he won a scholarship to Allen Glen's High School in Glasgow and in 1942 later entered Glasgow Veterinary College. After graduation in 1947 and a period in practice, he studied for the Diploma in Veterinary State Medicine at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School before joining the Colonial Veterinary Service.

His first posting was to Cyprus, where he oversaw the husbandry of farm livestock and control of their infectious diseases, for which work he was rewarded with a Fellowship of the RCVS in 1971.

A period of study at Edinburgh followed and he obtained the Diploma in Animal Genetics. John then moved to Uganda with his new bride Edith, and his daughter Susan was born there. In Uganda, he developed a great interest in parasitic diseases of livestock, stimulating him to follow a career in research.

To this end, he moved to Nigeria and joined the newly-formed Department of Animal Production at the Federal Nigerian Laboratories in Vom, headed by Rob Lee. They built a successful parasitology group, recruiting an enthusiastic team of aspiring young researchers, several of whom later held senior university appointments in the UK, a reflection of the sound advice offered by Rob and John.

Their research centred on the epidemiology, immunology and control of gastro-intestinal helminths in ruminants. Investigations under field conditions were greatly aided by a well-equipped mobile laboratory, which was unique in Africa at that time. From the seasonal data obtained on levels of helminth infections, control programmes based on strategic anthelmintic treatments were applied successfully. His contributions to the knowledge base on gastro-intestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in Nigeria were profound.

Before returning permanently to the UK in 1961, son lain was born and John spent a year at Glasgow University continuing his work on parasitism.

In 1963, he moved to a senior research appointment at the Stormont Laboratories of the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture where he carried out pioneering research into liver fluke disease in sheep and cattle, and developed a formula for predicting the prevalence of the disease, which was of everlasting value. He was awarded a doctorate for this work. Sadly, by the mid-1960s Edith had developed MS and her condition progressively deteriorated until her death in 1976. Despite the enormous strain, John somehow kept everything in balance at home and at work.

For family reasons, John returned to Scotland and in 1971 was appointed director of the Veterinary Laboratory, Lasswade, Midlothian, a department of the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge and part of the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The laboratory was best known for its expertise in the diagnosis and control of diseases of poultry. John's principal task on arrival was to undertake a major reorganisation of the laboratory's internal structure to cope with increasing demands in both statutory and import/export testing of samples and the widening of its remit.

New provisions and avian pathology were strengthened and developed. Close links were also maintained with the Veterinary Field Staff of the Department of Agriculture. By the mid-seventies the expansion of work involved a staff of over 90.

John took this reorganisation in his stride and continued to work and publish in his own discipline of veterinary parasitology. Always supportive and encouraging, he inspired considerable loyalty and affection in staff.

John retired in 1985 at a time when it had been decided to close the laboratory at Lasswade due to financial constraints, although he knew before his departure that a smaller unit was to be retained and relocated on the nearby Bush Estate.

Two years after Edith died, John met Vera through their respective daughters, Susan and Yvonne, who were school friends. Their relationship blossomed and they married in 1979. They brought one another great happiness over the past 30 years. They moved to North Berwick and loved it from the word go.

John became a member of St Andrew Blackadder Church, joined Probus and played golf. He loved sport and enjoyed watching football and rugby, but golf was his greatest sporting love. He was a member of Royal Dornoch in Sutherland, Gullane and North Berwick golf clubs. While not hugely competitive, he enjoyed a friendly match with a 50p wager at stake. John was great company and made people feel at ease, although Scottish reserve ran through him as did his faith in God, love of his family and the value of friendship.

About five years ago, John developed dementia. Two years ago his daughter Susan died, which was a great blow to him. A few months later he moved to Greenfield Park Home where the staff were very good to him and in time he was comfortable there. Over the winter, his condition deteriorated and he died on Easter Monday.

Our sympathy goes out to Vera and her daughters, John's son lain and four grandchildren Liam Mhairi, Kirsteen and Lorna.