Dr Arun Kumar Sarkar, former consultant geriatrician at Braid Valley Hospital, Ballymena and Antrim Hospital, died on 1 October from encephalitis.

Arun Sarkar was born in what is now Bangladesh in 1934. At the time of partition his family moved to Calcutta. He qualified in medicine from Calcutta University.

After moving to the UK, he worked in Scotland before coming to Northern Ireland in 1964. After further specialist training he was appointed as consultant geriatrician at the Braid Valley Hospital in Ballymena in 1970. At that time he was the sole geriatrician in the Northern Health and Social Services Board Area and had responsibility for the care of a large number of patients. He held this post until his retirement in 1999. During this period, he provided a high standard of medical care to his patients and was well thought of by his patients, their carers and his colleagues.

Outside of medicine Arun had a large number of interests to which he was able to devote more time after his retirement. These interests included travelling, golf, geology, astronomy, literature (especially poetry), computers, music and painting. He was an active member of the Rotary Club and was an ex-President of the Ballymena Rotary Club.

Arun was a larger than life character who enjoyed meeting people. He and his wife Norma were well known for their hospitality. Arun made a lasting impression on all those that he met and is remembered with great affection by his many friends.

Arun is survived by his wife Norma, his daughters Cosi and Nova, and by his brother who lives in India.

P G Flanagan