T J Thomson (Tommy) was born in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, and qualified MB ChB from Glasgow University in 1945. He became a resident house officer in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and after various junior hospital posts in the city, including the now defunct Oakbank Hospital, he was appointed Consultant Physician in Stobhill, a post he held until he retired.
He was a dedicated, caring and compassionate clinician. He established a gastroenterology service, including flexible endocscopy techniques, in his hospital.
He was a highly respected clinical teacher. His abilities in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching were widely recognised, and he had educational links with a number of countries, including Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Oman.
He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Edinburgh, London and Ireland. He was also awarded an honorary fellowship of the American College of Physicians. In 1988 he was awarded an honorary L.L.D from the University of Glasgow, and in 1997 was given an honorary doctorate of the University of Strathclyde.
He gave great service to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, being a member of council (1959 – 1961), honorary secretary (1965 – 1973), and president (1982 – 1984).
He became chairman of the Greater Glasgow Health Board in 1993.
In recognition of his service in many fields, he was awarded an OBE in 1978, a CBE in 1983 and a knighthood in 1991.
He was a dedicated family man, who greatly valued his holiday visits to Carradale in Kintyre. He is survived by his wife, three children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Robin Russell