Richard Wolfson

[Richard Wolfson]] (Born: October 17, 1922, Govanhill; Died: February 7, 2012. Born Israel Mordecai Wolfson, known as 'Dick'.)

Richard Wolfson, who has died aged 89 after a long illness, was a trail-blazing dental expert whose work on new anaesthetics helped ease the fear of patients. Known as Dick, Dr Wolfson was born in Glasgow and educated at Albert Road Academy (later Pollokshields Secondary School) and his strong and lasting loyalty came to the fore when he was involved in the organisation of the 120th anniversary of his alma mater in 2004. He studied medicine, a decision made after wrestling between medicine and dentistry. He graduated from Glasgow's Anderson College of Medicine and, after two years in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Dr Wolfson studied anaesthetics at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and began a career as a dental anaesthetist, thus combining his interests in medicine and dentistry. At that time dental anaesthetists were a rara avis: anaesthetising the patient was usually done by the dentist using a mixture of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen – not infrequently with dire results. To quote Dr Wolfson: "It was a source of embarrassment when a resistant male landed a right uppercut to the dentist's jaw, followed by a left hook to the body." The wrecking propensities of a half-anaesthetised patient could quickly remove the last vestige of cheer from the happiest of dentists. But Dr Wolfson tackled the problem, publishing research papers embracing new drugs and techniques and thus easing the fear of patients who now spent much less time in the dentist's chair.

On retiring in his early 70s, Dr Wolfson had more time to indulge in his passion for after-dinner speaking which he attacked with great panache. He was generous of spirit and his warmth and empathy drew people to him. His incisive wit could be gauged by his winning the National Wag of Wags competition in 2003 and by receiving numerous invitations to toast Scotland's national poet at Burns Nights. The highlight of these was an invitation from the Burns Club in Moscow – not the hamlet in Ayr but the capital of Russia – where he delivered the toast in Russian and English. According to Dr Wolfson, "probably neither was understood". Another accolade was an invitation to speak at the Stag Dinner of the Variety Club of Britain. He was generous with his time. He spoke pro bono for numerous charities and donated much of the proceeds from other engagements to a variety of worthy causes. And, no matter how busy, he always found time to help others who appealed for his aid in writing and delivering their speeches.

Dr Wolfson was also an active member of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow and served for three years as vice president. He and his wife were patrons of the International Scottish Piano Competition and on several occasions provided accommodation and hospitality to foreign contestants. He had many other interests of which he was proud, one of which was as a member of the Board of Governors of Tel Aviv University and another being a Knight of St John. Throughout his life Dr Wolfson was an enthusiastic golfer and was one of the founding members and chairman of the Bonnyton Golf Club in Renfrewshire. He was a man of great determination– not stubborn, just determined. At 80 he decided it would be pleasing to win the Veteran Cup. He did. After 47 years of marriage Dr Dick Wolfson, who bore his illness with stoicism and more than a little humour, is survived by his wife Lyn, son, daughter and four grandsons.

Family

• Mother Hannah Wolfson (nee Frank)
• Brothers: Montague Wolfson and Leslie Wolfson

Sister Sylvia Wolfson

• Wolfson family