I was saddened to learn of Alastair’s passing.  Although I did not know him well, I did meet him several times via my parents – Jean and Trevor Turner – they were friends as well as colleagues.  Trevor was involved with various RCVS committees and thought very highly of Alaistair.  As a vet student in the late 1980’s  I would tag along to RCVS events with one or both of my parents, and Alastair was always charming, encouraging and enthusiastic, taking the time to chat to me and  to ask how I was getting along at Uni (I think he found it amusing that Cambridge had a vet school but not Oxford!).  He  really was a gentle, gentleman and my thoughts are with his family and close friends.