We were deeply saddened to hear the news about Alastair and we send our sympathy to his family.

Alastair died on 12th July, the date in 1966 when he admitted John (Cooper) to membership of the RCVS – the first of many certificates signed “A R W Porter” still on our walls.

We both knew Alastair (“Mr Porter” for many years initially!) for decades as a friend, as well as a colleague. He wrote the foreword to Margaret’s law book in 1987 and he was

Registrar when John served on the College Council from 1980-91.

In the 1970s Alastair gave Margaret her first opportunity to write on animal law and together they examined an FRCVS thesis in 2011. In between, he was always willing to

listen to issues we raised concerning the application and interpretation of veterinary and animal legislation.

We are conscious not only of Alastair’s kindness and wise counsel to us both but also the debt of gratitude the whole profession owes to him for steering veterinary affairs for

so long both here in Britain and in the rest of Europe.

Alastair should be remembered with affection and thanks by all, especially the Royal College that he served and supported so well as an eminent and far-sighted Registrar and

subsequently as an Honorary Associate of the RCVS.

JOHN E COOPER, DTVM, FRCPath, FRSB, Hon FFFLM, FRCVS

   
MARGARET E COOPER, LLB, FLS, Hon FFFLM, Hon FRCPath