Consultant Physician in General and Geriatric Medicine, Oxford 1963 –1989; qualified 1951 Guy’s Hospital Medical School; MA (Oxon) 1971; FRCP (London 1974)

We are sorry to announce the passing on 8th February, of Leo Wollner, one of the founding fathers of geriatric medicine, who continued the work of earlier pioneers in the specialty with whom he worked, including Drs Woodford Williams, Phillip Bedford, and Lionel Cosin.

Born in Vienna, Leo and his sister escaped the Nazi regime, coming to England in 1938. Living first in Cornwall, he studied by correspondence course and at Birmingham Technical College, eventually gaining a place at Guy’s, where he won several prizes.

Shortly after qualifying, Leo was introduced to geriatric medicine by Prof Witts, Nuffield Professor of Medicine at Oxford, and spent 6 months at the Cowley Road Hospital. He was eventually appointed to a consultant post in geriatric medicine at Stoke Mandeville Hospital before moving back to Oxford.

Leo will be remembered for his important contributions to the development and standing of geriatric medicine, and for his research into accidental hypothermia and temperature regulation in the elderly. He organised a highly regarded training programme that attracted young doctors from all over the UK, such that when he retired he had probably trained more consultant geriatricians than any other centre. Leo also espoused the emerging principle of integrating geriatric medicine with general medicine, with joint training in both disciplines, and played a large role in the development of this approach in Oxford. He helped to change the image of geriatric medicine, attracting high calibre doctors to work with older people.

Leo Wollner was a physician for whom nothing was too much trouble when caring for his patients. He was also devoted to Sylvia and his four children.

Gordon Wilcock