In tribute to Philip James Noel Pinsent, Sidney Ricketts writes: Many Bristol graduates will have been saddened to hear of Jim Pinsent’s death following a long illness.
After qualifying from the Liverpool veterinary school in 1950, he worked in practice on the Welsh borders before returning to join the formidable Leahurst faculty team lead by Ritchie and Neal, of whom he spoke with great respect. He then worked in a Hampshire practice before joining the Bristol Veterinary school at Langford in 1967, in Professor Grunsell’s department. He set up the school’s Practice Teaching Unit with an initial eight farms, which were donated by local practices with his encouragement.
Until his retirement in 1986, he taught veterinary medicine with a passion that inspired his audience, many of whom often sat literally at his feet, in his office, in awe of his conviction, clarity of mind and experience. His door was always open and many of us took advantage to ask questions, which he always answered with honesty and thoroughness. He gave us his time generously and with apparent pleasure. He taught his students not only good clinical medicine and timely use of diagnostic aids but also how to approach, observe and examine animals and question their handlers and owners in order to develop a differential diagnosis and then make a definitive diagnosis, where possible. He emphasised that an accurate diagnosis was a prerequisite to successful treatment and management.
He taught respect for animals, their handlers and owners, and emphasised the sometimes onerous but essential responsibilities that come with being a veterinary surgeon and a responsible clinician. He promoted the veterinary ethics of working and interacting with professional colleagues. He emphasised the importance of giving a dedicated personal service in order to satisfy the needs of the patient, which was always his most important consideration. He advised us to to keep case records and to use them to develop clinical series, which could be submitted for publication in the veterinary literature, as he had done himself.
Copies of his textbook, ‘Outline of Clinical Diagnosis in the Horse’, published in 1990, are well thumbed in the libraries of many experienced equine clinicians today. His lectures were often more like sermons, born of a deep commitment to help his students become good clinicians, and were all the better for his gift for this form of delivery.
To those of us who were privileged to have been taught by him, Jim Pinsent was a veterinary surgeon, teacher and gentleman of the very highest order who became a legend in his time. As a mentor he was unsurpassed, and many of his students have enjoyed successful careers by following his advice. Above all, he inspired enthusiasm and the quest for excellence. Our profession has lost a shining star, but his legacy will live on as his pearls of wisdom are frequently recalled, remembered, acted upon and passed on by a succession of his disciples who are in veterinary practice. He was always very kind and supportive to his students, many of whom have benefited greatly from his teaching, guidance, encouragement and wise counsel, for which we shall remain immensely grateful.
As well as his love for his profession, his patients, his students and cricket, Jim was a devoted family man, and at this sad time we send our profound condolences to his widow, Connie and his children, Jill, Jim, John and Cathy, who gave him such love and support and of whom he was so proud. We thank them all for the many hours when he was with us rather than being at home with them.
I hope I can be forgiven for directly quoting the above, but I am so proud of it.
I recently had the honour of attending the funeral of my grandfather; a humbling gathering of a great many respectful admirers, giving thanks for his influence on their lives. I will always remember my grandfather as I knew him when I was a young child, when I rode on the shoulders of that gentle giant; 6′7″ in his prime; strong, calm and kind. I remember his knowing looks, wry humour and deep chuckles. I remember his love of animals, my mother, brother and sister and that crazy, deaf white cat who went for my face with both claws every time I tried to get past it.
It is strange and difficult to come to terms with his death as an adult, but so gratifying to see at the funeral the impact he made on the lives of so many. I was so touched by the attendance, the good wishes and the heart-felt words spoken in dedication by family and friends. What an accomplishment.
We can all hope to leave such an impression on this world; and in his amazing family, leave such a legacy behind us.
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