Richard Pryer was born on 20 September 1924. After education at St Peter's School, York, he entered the London Hospital and graduated in 1947. After serving as house surgeon at the London Hospital he was appointed resident surgical officer at Tindal General Hospital, Aylesbury, in 1948. The following year he entered the RAF medical service on a short-term commission and served in Aden. Whilst there he successfully removed a bullet from the wall of the left ventricle of an airman who was resuscitated with the then newly introduced method of intra-arterial transfusion. He declined a permanent commission and, on passing FRCS, was appointed senior surgical registrar at Aylesbury before becoming consultant surgeon there in 1960. He was chairman of the medical advisory committee and of the medical executive and became a highly respected member of the staff. Pryer was a staunch defender of the confidentiality of medical records and was a charming and popular colleague. The last ten years of his life were beset by ill health and, knowing he would never attain old age, he made light of his disabilities. He had many interests outside his professional work; he travelled widely and had an especial interest in aircraft and music. He was a member of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and a great lover of the game. A tall debonair figure with twinkling smile, good humour and great kindness, he died suddenly on 15 December 1981, and is survived by his wife and two sons.