Jane Ward
Visiting lecturer, Dept. of Physiology, King’s College London, UK

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.105.39

Dr Frederick John Imms died peacefully on 28 July 2016 aged 80.

Fred was educated at Maidstone Grammar School and University College London (UCL), where he completed his medical degree and PhD in Physiology before becoming a lecturer at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School. He then moved to the MRC Environmental Physiology Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where his research included gait studies in the elderly and recovery after injury. In 1980, Fred joined the Department of Physiology at Guy’s Hospital Medical School where he remained, as it merged with St Thomas’ and King’s College London, until his retirement. His main research interest was always applied human physiology; as well as papers and chapters in this area, he also wrote a textbook and an MCQ book on applied physiology aimed at trainee clinicians.

To his colleagues, Fred was a great team player, always cheerful, efficient and helpful. To students, he was an enthusiastic teacher and loyal supporter of many university sports clubs. He taught generations of BSc, MSc and PhD students the mysteries of venous occlusion plethysmography and lower body negative pressure.

Sport was Fred’s passion, particularly rugby, hockey and cricket. He played hockey as a student and as a lecturer with the students at St Thomas. He played cricket for Dorking Cricket Club (DCC) and later for the Forty Club. He was very involved in the running of both clubs and regularly umpired. As a member of the MCC, he regularly attended matches at Lords. Fred was a referee for the London Society of Rugby Football Referees and later on a referee assessor, mentoring and assessing the next generation of rugby referees.

Fred had his share of health problems but his indomitably positive personality meant that many will not have realised this. In his early forties, he was diagnosed with cancer that had already metastasised. Fortunately, following surgery and chemotherapy, he made a full recovery.

In more recent years, health problems reduced Fred’s energy and mobility but, being a glass half-full person, he focused on what he could still do. Less than two weeks before pneumonia and his other health problems finally caught up with him, Fred attended an England v Pakistan match at Lords with Val and Andrew and had a great day.

Fred is survived by his wife Val, his sons Andrew and Jeremy and four grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by Val, the family and his many friends.