The Woodward Tale Part 2
Emeritus Professor Edwin Geoffrey Woodward PhD FCOptom late Royal Army Medical Corps
The Man Edwin Geoffrey Woodward (Geoff) was born on Wednesday 19th September 1934 in Royal Leamington Spa, only child of Edwin Thomas, a Leamington Borough Police Constable and Amy nee Harrod. The 1939 Register shows him, aged five living with his parents at 15 Victoria Street in the town, whilst his grandparents, Edwin James the former Park Keeper to Victoria Park, and Clara, were at no 7.
Geoff was educated at Warwick school and in 1952, aged 18 studied at the Northampton Polytechnic Institute (in London, now part of City University) qualifying in Optometry in 1956. He was then called up for his National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, as a Private with service number 23165022 seeing service in Europe and the Malayan Emergency, for which he was awarded his General Service Medal with ‘Malaya’ clasp.
Having completed his degree and national service, Geoff returned to Northampton Polytechnic working in the Pathology Department and during the third quarter of 1957 married Elizabeth Ann Gillian Marsden in Kent. They had two daughters, Leonora born in 1960 and Ann Louise 1961.
In about 1960 Geoff set up a contact lens practice in Nottingham, also providing optometric services to the RAF hospital at Nocton Hall in Lincolnshire. His interest in contact lenses led on to a PhD on keratoconus, a condition in which the normal shape of the cornea is lost and in which contact lenses can often restore good vision, while spectacles generally cannot. He also played a large part in the development of standards for the solutions with which contact lenses are maintained, there having been none such previously, and became involved in early initiatives to secure the right to independent prescribing of drugs for suitably qualified optometrists.
Geoff was educated at Warwick school and in 1952, aged 18 studied at the Northampton Polytechnic Institute (in London, now part of City University) qualifying in Optometry in 1956. He was then called up for his National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, as a Private with service number 23165022 seeing service in Europe and the Malayan Emergency, for which he was awarded his General Service Medal with ‘Malaya’ clasp.
Having completed his degree and national service, Geoff returned to Northampton Polytechnic working in the Pathology Department and during the third quarter of 1957 married Elizabeth Ann Gillian Marsden in Kent. They had two daughters, Leonora born in 1960 and Ann Louise 1961.
In about 1960 Geoff set up a contact lens practice in Nottingham, also providing optometric services to the RAF hospital at Nocton Hall in Lincolnshire. His interest in contact lenses led on to a PhD on keratoconus, a condition in which the normal shape of the cornea is lost and in which contact lenses can often restore good vision, while spectacles generally cannot. He also played a large part in the development of standards for the solutions with which contact lenses are maintained, there having been none such previously, and became involved in early initiatives to secure the right to independent prescribing of drugs for suitably qualified optometrists.
However, academic and hospital work beckoned and Geoff took up appointments at City University, London and Moorfields Eye Hospital. In 1976 he was appointed Principal Optometrist at Moorfields, a post that he held until 1987, when he was appointed Professor of Optometry and Visual Science at City University, remaining in this position until his retirement.
Geoff became known as an optometrist of exceptional accomplishment. Dissatisfied with commercial practice, he directed his intellect to more lasting objectives and made significant contributions to the development of his
profession in the areas of education, research and regulation.
Geoff wished to see patients protected in their dealings with optometrists and dispensing opticians, which led to his service on the General Optical Council 1977-2000, (the body that protects members of the public in their interactions with optometrists and dispensing opticians) and Chairman of their Professional Conduct Committee. He was also a council member of the College of Optometrists from 1980-98 (the professional, scientific and examining body for UK optometry), with a year as their president 1983-84.
In 1987 he was appointed Head of Department of Optometry and Visual Science at City University and professor of optometry and visual science at City University, London holding these positions until his retirement.
During this time, Geoff was also appointed to a number of government committees established under Section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968 and numerous academic honours came his way, including appointments in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland. He was referee to several journals and external examiner for many graduate and postgraduate degree courses. He personally supervised 16 higher degrees and gave more than 50 invited lectures at conferences in Europe and at home and authored and co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
In 1999 aged 65 Geoff retired and was appointed as Emeritus Professor.
Geoff became known as an optometrist of exceptional accomplishment. Dissatisfied with commercial practice, he directed his intellect to more lasting objectives and made significant contributions to the development of his
profession in the areas of education, research and regulation.
Geoff wished to see patients protected in their dealings with optometrists and dispensing opticians, which led to his service on the General Optical Council 1977-2000, (the body that protects members of the public in their interactions with optometrists and dispensing opticians) and Chairman of their Professional Conduct Committee. He was also a council member of the College of Optometrists from 1980-98 (the professional, scientific and examining body for UK optometry), with a year as their president 1983-84.
In 1987 he was appointed Head of Department of Optometry and Visual Science at City University and professor of optometry and visual science at City University, London holding these positions until his retirement.
During this time, Geoff was also appointed to a number of government committees established under Section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968 and numerous academic honours came his way, including appointments in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland. He was referee to several journals and external examiner for many graduate and postgraduate degree courses. He personally supervised 16 higher degrees and gave more than 50 invited lectures at conferences in Europe and at home and authored and co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
In 1999 aged 65 Geoff retired and was appointed as Emeritus Professor.
Geoff was described as a Renaissance man. In his private life he was absorbed in the arts and literature, being a particular follower of Wagner and Anthony Powell. For some years he and Elizabeth owned a narrowboat which allowed them to travel over the British Inland Waterways and which became a second home to them. They also undertook tours on international cargo vessels, always accompanied by mounds of books.
A ready listener, Geoff was always helpful and generous, to others, in conversation, his well-developed sense of humour was always near the surface.
Geoff and Elizabeth lived at 40 Balliol Court, Rutherway, Oxford and he died aged 79 on 9th November 2013 having bequeathed his body to The Department of Human Anatomy and Genetics at Oxford University. He was subsequently buried in Botley, Headington, Rose Hill and Wolvercote Cemetery on 28th November. Cemetery Section I1 Grave Number 218Geoff
It was said upon his death that Geoff would be remembered by his colleagues and friends as a man who was always ready to listen to them and if possible, to help in their endeavours, whether academic or professional. Apart from his generosity, they would also remember the fullness of his character and his well-developed sense of humour.
A memorial celebration of his life was later held in London.
A ready listener, Geoff was always helpful and generous, to others, in conversation, his well-developed sense of humour was always near the surface.
Geoff and Elizabeth lived at 40 Balliol Court, Rutherway, Oxford and he died aged 79 on 9th November 2013 having bequeathed his body to The Department of Human Anatomy and Genetics at Oxford University. He was subsequently buried in Botley, Headington, Rose Hill and Wolvercote Cemetery on 28th November. Cemetery Section I1 Grave Number 218Geoff
It was said upon his death that Geoff would be remembered by his colleagues and friends as a man who was always ready to listen to them and if possible, to help in their endeavours, whether academic or professional. Apart from his generosity, they would also remember the fullness of his character and his well-developed sense of humour.
A memorial celebration of his life was later held in London.
The Story Click here to see
Medal Details
- General Service Medal: 23165022 PTE. E.G.WOODWARD. R.A.M.C.
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