Howard Beddow was an orthopaedic surgeon in Liverpool. His forebears came from Pembrokeshire, but he was born in Sheffield. As a young boy he moved with his family to Merseyside, where he spent the rest of his life. His early education was at Kingsmead and Birkenhead schools. He was an enthusiastic model railway fan and considered engineering as a career, but finally decided on medicine. He went to Liverpool University to study medicine and qualified MB ChB in 1950. Having served in the Army for his National Service and held numerous posts as a young trainee, he was attracted to orthopaedic surgery, having as a student been fascinated by the anatomy of the human arm. Early in his training he gained his fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and a masters degree in orthopaedic surgery (MCh Orth) with the examiner's prize. He enjoyed travelling. As a young registrar he was dispatched by his teacher Bryan MacFarland to Lapland to study the incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in Lap babies armed with a portable X-ray machine, which he carried in his ancient Morris Minor. His first consultant post at the age 34 was at Whiston Hospital. After some years he moved to the Liverpool Infirmary as a surgeon and part-time lecturer at the university. As a teacher he excelled: he had his own style of teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and was highly respected by students and colleagues. He was a faithful supporter of the MCh Orth course. He developed an early interest in rheumatology, first working in tandem with his colleague Nicholas Bennett-Jones at Whiston and later continuing his interest in all aspects of rheumatic diseases at the Infirmary. He was a meticulous master surgeon in a difficult field where repeated procedures are common and where patience and sympathy are important. He was also innovative: he was a pioneer in the development of the Liverpool shoulder prosthesis and was a founder member of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society. He published widely on orthopaedic topics and was an examiner for physiotherapists and plaster technicians. Locally, he was vice president of the Liverpool Medical Institution. He enjoyed his involvement with university life as a teacher and examiner, and also contributed substantially to health board affairs. He was a man much in demand on Merseyside and always dependable. Nationally he served on the council of the British Orthopaedic Association and was a regional adviser for the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Howard had courage and perseverance in abundance. As a young surgeon he developed an osteosarcoma in his left femur, necessitating disarticulation at hip level. He was back at full duties soon after, including full days of operating. Some years later a large secondary tumour appeared in his chest, which was removed. This did not deter him. He returned to full duties in a few weeks. This was the measure of the man. He continued with teaching and surgery until he retired aged 65. To his colleagues and students he looked remarkably young and was sometimes mistaken for his own registrar by his patients. He was a perfect gentleman with a whimsical smile and sense of humour. Howard had many interests outside work. As an undergraduate student he was a top class tennis player. He and his wife Ann were later enthusiastic gardeners. Most of all they enjoyed cruising on their traditional narrow boat *Badger*. He especially enjoyed archaeological cruises. They also were keen on world cruising, with Ann always in support. Howard was a deeply religious man much involved in local church activities in their village of Caldy on the Wirral peninsula, where, despite his limb problem, he played the church organ and collected many friends on the way. During his last years, following a stroke, he was cared for at a peaceful nursing home with Ann in constant support. Howard died on 21 February 2015, aged 87. He was survived by Ann and his sister Jean. There are few of us that can emulate Howard's achievements in the face of adversity.