Dr. Bernard Lau passed away on 13 June, 2005 following a sudden illness.

Bernard Lau was born in 1948. He studied at King's College and graduated with a MBBS from the University of Hong Kong in 1972. He was trained in Psychiatry in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom receiving his postgraduate qualification in Psychiatry, MRCPsy, in the UK. He was subsequently awarded a Ph.D. from The University of Southampton. Bernard was a specialist psychiatrist who contributed greatly to the disciplines of Psychiatry and Family Medicine in addition to his great input into life in Hong Kong.

Bernard was Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist of St. Paul's Hospital. He held honorary positions in the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong. He was an active contributor to our College journal. His last piece is published as an editorial in the current edition. He also contributed as a member of the Research Committee and Editorial Board of our College. He had published over 130 publications in leading journals in the medical field. Always thoughtful and considerate, he was never afraid to offer an opinion and challenge the status quo.

Bernard had a wide range of interests and studied everything in depth. He enjoyed music, opera, reading and sports. He also followed political and financial matters with great interest. He could listen to a song and recount many peripheral details, such as where it was first performed. Yet he could just as readily debate the intricacies of child development and education. He was a keen badminton player who applied his knowledge of psychology, playing regularly in a truly healthy and stress-free style.

Despite his busy work schedule he did not hesitate to give his expert services to those in need. One example is the psychological support he gave to Dr. Joseph T C Chung during Dr. Chung's one year extended stay in hospital as a SARS patient. It is a miracle that Joseph survives and Bernard did play a part in that miracle.

Bernard was dedicated to his family, to his wife, Shirley and his 4 children, Christine, Jonathan, Vincent and Louise. Since his university days, he was an active member of the legion of Mary and he visited the sick and needy as a matter of routine. He gave free medical services to the clergy of the Catholic Church. He was a man who considered the needs of others before his own. This generosity of spirit is demonstrated in the following personal recollection of one of us:

"I cannot recall when, where and how Bernard and I first knew each other. It could be some 25 years ago. I can recall however our last encounter on King's Road last year. After 'hello' and 'how things going recently', he walked fast towards the west and I strolled towards the east. But his tall figure is still vivid in my mind.

Throughout one's life, there might be one or two or even few persons whose presence changes one's life. Bernard is one in mine and the turning point was in 1986. I was in solo private practice. Unable to find an answer from textbooks or journals to a clinical question, the naive me at that time attempted to get the answer by collecting data from my patients. Thinking that others would like to know my results, I submitted a 'paper' to the Hong Kong Practitioner. Bernard was the Editor-in-chief then. He soon called me and explained to me the flaws of the 'study'. I assumed that his request to re-write the manuscript was a polite rejection. A few weeks later, he called again, 'Is your revision ready?' That was the turning point in my career and my restless interest in research was kindled.

Bernard kept a low-profile and most of the young local family physicians of today do not know him. He saw the importance of Family Medicine to the community and identified the family physicians'approach to patients with his wish to promote Family Medicine. He considered himself as a 'general practitioner' as well as a psychiatrist.

His contribution to our College in her early years of development is definite. His influence on my career was pivotal. My appreciation of his mentorship stays forever." (YTW)

The passing away of Dr. Bernard Lau is a great loss to his family, our profession and to our community.

May he Rest in Peace.