Professor Ronnie Hartles, who died on 1 August 2003, was a most distinguished dental scientist and was one of the first ‘pure’ scientists to find a career opportunity in dental research. Ronald Lewis Hartles was born on 15 November 1915 and was educated at Wade Deacon Grammar School in Widnes, Cheshire, and the University of Liverpool where he graduated in biochemistry in 1938. As a member of the Territorial Army, he was called for service before the start of the Second World War and served throughout the war, first with the South Lancashire Regiment and later, on secondment, with the King’s African Rifles, when he spent a lot of time in Kenya investigating mosquitos and their ability to spread malaria. After demobilisation, Ronnie joined the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool and was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy in 1946. In 1948, he was appointed lecturer in dental biochemistry at the dental school. Using a modern expression, he was being fast tracked and his promotion was rapid – to senior lecturer in 1953, to a personal readership in 1962, and a year later he was appointed as the first professor of dental science in the dental school – the post that he held until his retirement in 1981. He built up a strong research team in his department at Liverpool and provided an atmosphere of academic freedom for such persons as Alan Lever, Sam Leech, Graham Embery and Mike Edgar. He always encouraged the younger people – students and research workers – and was ever willing to share ideas with colleagues. When benefiting from the experiments of his research team members, he was scrupulous in acknowledging their contributions. He was a stimulating teacher and gained immense personal satisfaction from all aspects of his work. In Liverpool, he worked closely with his professorial colleagues Frank (later Sir Frank) Lawton and Desmond Farmer, and this triumvirate was responsible for the planning of the new and enlarged dental school and hospital building that was opened in 1968. It was also responsible for the change in direction of undergraduate dental education, from one of technical orientation to one in which a deeper study of the biological sciences was able to provide students with a superior scientific background as a preparation for their clinical studies. From 1967 until 1981, Ronnie Hartles was warden of Rathbone Hall at the University of Liverpool. During this period, Ronnie and Lilian proved to be an excellent ‘warden’s team’ that looked after the welfare of the hundreds of students who came under their care and who knew that the Warden and his wife would provide sympathetic ears when problems arose. In 1976, Ronnie was appointed pro-vice-chancellor which was a just recognition of his dedicated service to the university. For many years, he served on various committees of the Medical Research Council and on several government working parties in relation to dental health. He was president of the British division of the International Association for Dental Research from 1971-74. There were many other aspects to Ronnie during his long life. he enjoyed music and poetry, but his great passions were fishing and cricket. He worked long and hard at his fishing, and viewed the successes and failures of England on the cricket field with the eye of a discerning scientist! Above all, he was the loving husband of Lilian for over 62 years, the loving father of Peter and Joan and the loving grandfather of their children. Friends and colleagues extend the deepest sympathy to them all.