Bernard Bloch, a Sydney-based surgeon, was a pioneer in the development of international standards for surgical implants. He was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on 7 November 1922, the son of Israel Bloch, a businessman, and Greta Grueschlovsky, who fled Lithuania to start a new life in the Orange Free State. Bernard was educated at St Andrew's School in Bloemfontein and studied medicine at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, graduating in 1945. He had an older brother, Arthur, who was killed in the North Africa campaign during the Second World War, and a younger sister, Irma. Bernard also served in the South African Army during the war. Following his demobilisation, he went to London, where he was a resident medical officer at the Royal Cancer Hospital in 1946, then dominion registrar at Guy's Hospital from 1946 to 1947. In May 1948, Bernard married June Sugden, a British nurse. They both volunteered for service during Israel's War of Independence, before travelling back to Johannesburg, where Bernard was a casualty/fracture surgeon and a lecturer in anatomy. In 1949, they moved back to London and Bernard spent four years in various registrar positions, gaining his FRCS in 1952. In 1953, the Blochs moved to Sydney, Australia, where Bernard was appointed to Balmain and Sydney hospitals. He enjoyed a thriving practice for the next 20 years. In 1973 he left Australia, working first as a research fellow in experimental orthopaedic surgery in Davos, Switzerland, and then as a guest professor at the University of Louvain, Belgium. From 1976 to 1977, he was a locum consultant in the UK and in Holland. In 1978 the Blochs returned to Sydney, Bernard to consultant practice and Sydney Hospital. In 1989 they moved to Israel and subsequent retirement. As a research fellow at the University of New South Wales, Bernard carried out original work on biomaterials and epoxy glues. Working groups were established in metallurgy, with Lou Keys, and mechanical engineering, with Noel Svensson. Bernard developed techniques for the bonding of long fractures by plastic adhesives and investigated the use of metal implants and alloys. He also analysed hip and knee replacements in 22 Sydney hospitals, from 1969 to 1979. He wrote seven books, including *Plastics in surgery* (Springfield, Illinois, 1967, second edition 1972) and *Amputations and artificial limbs* (co-authored with George Swan, Sydney, Department of Orthopaedics and Prosthetics, Sydney Hospital, 1974). He also visited New Guinea in 1966 for a six-week tour, and reported on hospital conditions and orthopaedic services. Bernard's most significant work lay in the field of surgical implants, where he advocated the establishment of standards. Bernard was foundation chairman of the Standards Association of Australia's committee on surgical implants, and of the International Organization for Standardization's technical committee on implants for surgery, from 1972 to 1986. His contributions were recognised in Australia by the Australian Orthopaedic Association executive, and at international level. P G Laing, in his article 'World standards for surgical implants, an American perspective' (*Biomaterials*. 1994 May;15[6]:403-7) wrote: 'Dr Bernard Bloch of Australia was the leader in the early effort and other countries eagerly joined in his work.' Bernard Bloch died on 1 January 2012, aged 89. He was a man of inquiring mind and great energy, and will be remembered professionally for his ability to involve surgeons and scientists in productive collaborations. He was survived by his wife June, three daughters, Gila, Margot and Deborah (another daughter, Pnina, predeceased him in 2003), 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.