Kenneth Owen

MRCS LRCP 1944  MB BS London 1944

 

Kenneth Owen was a well known Urologist in London with an international reputation, particularly in the Middle East and throughout Europe, especially in Scandinavia and Italy.

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He was born on 11 June 1920 in Wallasey, Cheshire, the son of Albert Edward Owen, a timber merchant. His mother, Ada  had major problems with chest infections, and doctors and nurses were constant visitors to the family homes. Her medical condition undoubtedly influenced Ken's choice of career. He also had one brother, Jack, who also had health problems and died prematurely.

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His primary education was somewhat disrupted due to family moves, but his secondary education at Wallasey Grammar School was stable, productive and very happy under an inspiring headmaster, F L Allen. A  keen sportsman, he enjoyed rugby and athletics, particularly middle-distance running. In 1936 he attended the Berlin Olympics on a school trip.

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Plans to go to Cambridge were shelved in view of the certainty of war, and he was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at St Mary's Hospital, known for its encouragement of sport. WW2 made for shorter courses in all medical schools, many of which were evacuated from London for preclinical teaching. His first term was in Manchester. Sector hospitals such as Harefield and Basingstoke played a part in his clinical years, but much of his training was in London, where air-raids and their casualties were an accepted part of student life, together with fire-watching and Home Guard duties.
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He had volunteered for the RAF at the beginning of the war, but had been advised to continue his medical training. Following the end of the war, he decided to go to the Sudan, a post that fulfilled his requirement to carry out National Service. He was based initially in Khartoum, at the Kitchener Medical School, but spent most of his time at Wad Medani, in Al Gezira state - often with limited facilities.

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After a short time back at St Mary's Kenneth gained a schloarship in Boston, Massachusetts which directed his future to urology.
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On his return he found he was drawn into administrative work in an attempt to improve working conditions at St Mary's. This proved frustrating, with plans often repeatedly thwarted by politicians and administrators reneging on promises. However, promoting the cause of urology on the European and International scene was gratifying. He was a founder member of the European Society of Urology and the British representative on the Societé International d'Urologie. This gave him contact with established urology units.

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A writer of many publications in varied journals, he wrote many monographs and sections in postgraduate textbooks, the main topics being renovascular reconstruction, renal transplantation, adrenal surgery (at which he excelled), as well as parathyroid surgery.

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Kenneth Owen died on 7 June 2013, just short of his 93rd birthday.

 

Source: The Royal College of Surgeons of England