David Plumb

David Plumb was an exceptional pharmacist — he was the consummate professional. I have known David for over 30 years as a very good friend and a man of extraordinary talents.

David graduated from Manchester with honours in 1965, a very special time as he met his delightful wife Marg there. He started his career in industry working with May & Baker from 1965–1967 before he moved into community pharmacy. He worked initially for Quarnbys in Essex before he joined the Ralph Weston group in the Midlands.

After a short period in management, his outstanding business and communication skills were recognised and he was rapidly promoted to regional and then national directorship. He started his own pharmacy in Bishops Waltham in 1978; it was there that he really made his mark. He was held in high regard by fellow medical professionals, his staff and of course his patients.

It was my privilege to work alongside David at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) where he was regional representative for the then Wessex region. Popular with his local contractors, David was also well liked as an affable, hardworking PSNC member, who quickly gained the respect of his PSNC colleagues.

David had a particular passion for rural pharmacy and chaired PSNC’s rural practices sub-committee. It was the work of this committee that ultimately led to agreement between dispensing doctors and pharmacists, ending years of dispute and oral hearings.

He was an effective communicator and also served as chair of PSNC’s public relations subcommittee. His sound business sense, passion for pharmacy and rounded experience as contractor also gained him a place on PSNC’s negotiating Team. On the social side of PSNC meetings, David was equally popular; he was good company with an endearing sense of humour.

David was chairman of Hampshire’s Local Pharmacy Committee (LPC) from 1987 to 1992. He was also a member of the UniChem regional committees and his input was invaluable in the formulation of our company’s offer to our pharmacy customers. It was absolutely right therefore that, in 1998, David was awarded a fellowship of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for distinction in the practice of pharmacy.

Our profession owes a great deal to David Plumb.

David was also an accomplished singer, known as “Dave the Rave”, and a superb photographer; he won many awards.

In closing, I must add that David was a great family man — a much loved husband, father and grandfather. He was devoted to his family and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren who adored him. My thoughts are with Marg, Helen, Simon, Anna and his beautiful grandchildren at this sad time. 

Mike Smith

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, 4 October 2014, Vol 293, No 7830;293(7830):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2014.20066673

You may also be interested in