In Memoriam: Professor Sir David Todd (1928-2017)

The Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences Society mourns the passing of Professor Sir David Todd, one of the founders of the Society and a staunch supporter of the mission and the work of the Museum.

From the time of the Museum’s gestation, Professor Todd was on the Advisory Board of the Steering Committee set up by the Hong Kong College of Pathologists and was one of the subscribers of Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences Society when it was finally incorporated in 1995. After work of the Museum began, he maintained a continual interest in its operation and development and was the Society’s Patron for the period 2003-2005.

Professor Todd’s interest in the history of medicine was inspiring. He was an Honorary Adviser to the Education and Research Committee of the Society from its inception and gave us much insightful advice. When the Education and Research Committee of the Society set up a Medical History Interest Group in 2006, Professor Todd was the speaker in its first meeting. His talk entitled “Some reminiscences including recollections of three former colleagues: Prof AJS McFadzean, Dr Stephen Chang and Prof Gerald Choa” aroused much interest in the audience and an edited transcript was published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal for a wider readership.

Professor Todd gave his support to the work of the Society in many other ways. Two of his contributions were recorded in print: a chapter in the Society’s 10th Anniversary publication in 2006, ‘Plague, SARS and the Story of Medicine in Hong Kong’ and a Foreword for the Society’s 20th Anniversary publication in 2016, ‘Footprints of Medicine: From the Collections of the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences’.

The Society is forever grateful to Professor Todd for his unfailing support, wise counsel and encouragement throughout the twenty years of its formation. While we dearly miss his presence, we shall continue our efforts in the development of the Society and the Museum so as not to fail his vision and trust in us. The Society wishes to convey our heart-felt condolences to Professor Todd’s family.