52
College news
IN MEMORIAM Norman Leslie Capener (1898-1975)
A service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Norman Capener was held on Saturday 3rd May at Exeter Cathedral. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, former President of the Medical Commissioin on Accident Prevention, was represented by Mr James Orr cvo. The addrcss, to a congregation of over 400 people, was given by Sir Thomas Holmes Sellors PPRCS.
'In the evening of the day and in these lovely surroundings we come to pay tribute to the memory of Norman Capener and to give thanks for his life's service in the presence of his family and friends. He worked in this city for over forty years and was acknowledged as one of its great luminaries. His name and fame have spread far beyond the West Country, not only in his profession, but in many other fields of interest. 'One of his colleagues best described this man as unique, and this he truly was in that he combined idealism and humanism with an immense versatility. Few men could claim to be recognized as a surgeoni of international repute and yet to be sufficiently skilled in the Arts to have had an
exhibition of his own work in this city's art gallery. And at the same time to be devoid of that intellectual arrogance that detracts from the merits of some great characters. Look at him from any angle and, I repeat, he was unique and rare. The visionary was combined with the man of action, the technician with the academic, and the practical organizer with the philosopher and naturalist. 'Norman came of a large family and as a boy was a member of the Temple Choir, which gave him a life-long interest in music-particularly that of early English church music. As a Londoner it was appropriate that his days as a medical student should have been spent at St Bartholomew's, where after qualification he served his resident appointments. Quite early on he had decided on a surgical career, which he furthered by spending five years as a teacher of anatomy. Then came the offer of a post as assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at Ann Arbor, Michigan. This was a happy period and determined the line of his professional career. 'In 193I he returned to this country and was appointed as consultant to the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital, to which he gave all his skills-and heart. He quickly started the task of organizing a service throughout Devon in which after-care and rehabilitation were given special emphasis, and the pattern of this organization remains a model for this branch of surgery. His personal efforts led to the construction of the gymnasium in his hospital, and on its outside wall can be seen the carved initials of Norman and his family. In the fullness of time he pioneered certain aspects of bone and joint surgery and gained a reputation that spread far beyond the West
Country. 'Recognition of his work and worth came in his election as president at one time or other of all the important orthopaedic societies in this country, and for a number of years he was the Ministry of Health's consultant adviser in his specialty. He was also chairman of many influential bodies in which he was particularly interested-Sports Medicine, Surgical Implants, Appliances for the Disabled, and notably the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention which he chaired up to the time of his last illness. 'In I96I he was elected to the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons, to which he gave valued
College news and unstinted service for I2 years, concluding with a two-year term as Vice-President. His advice and help on many matters, particularly those concerned with education, were invaluable, as also his care and knowledge of the College's artistic possessions. TIhe official visit of the College to this city last year had largely been organized and arranged by Norman and it was to have be^n the occasion when he was to receive the rarely awarded Gold Medal of the College. Alas, this was not to be, and the presentation was made at his sick-bed in his own hospital. 'These, then, are simply the outlines of a career in surgery in which he certainly "made these dry bones live", and is surely enough for one man's record. But the story does not end there. 'The literary and historical interests of Norman covered a wide field and there was one particular quarter on which his activities were concentrated. The library of this cathedral contains a number of ancient medical manuscripts, which he used as a basis for some of his studies. The Thomas Vicary Lecture which lie gave not so long ago on John of Gaddesden showed his skill as a man of letters and a historian. The records and treasures of Exeter City were also a happy hunting ground, and one of the last conversations we had with him concerned the history of some silver spoons in your Museum. 'But probably his great achievement outside medicine was in the world of sculpture. He had a sense of form and a feeling for material-be it wood, stone, or clay-that has the mark of a master. He was undoubtedly influenced by his friend Barbara Hepworth, who paid him the compliment of depicting him as a central figure in one of her important works which now hangs in the College of Surgeons. She also did a lovely bronze of his hands. Norman exhibited frequently at exhibitions in the West Country, often using the pseudonym Noel Carne, and, as I mentioned earlier, held an individual exhibition in Exeter some eight or nine years ago. In the world of bone surgery the Capener chisels are well known, and these bear the mark of the artist rather than the carpenter in their design. Sculpture was one of the dominant interests in his make-up as his imagination allowed him to visualize the forms that lay in the material he was about to bring to life. He was also a goodly painter who in water-colours could catch the landscape's fleeting moment. 'He was a true countrymani in his knowledge anid love of nature-an expert on birds, and in
53
later life when he lived on his farm he was at his happiest. Inevitably he travelled widely and many of his expeditions round the countryside or to London were made in an old open Bentley which he drove fast and furiously. More recently his cars became sedate and smaller and he was a passionate advocate for road safety and the wearing of seat-belts. 'Now, what of the man himself? To meet he was the essence of charm and courtesy, exuding enthusiasm on any and every topic. He was surprisingly youthful and vital and even with his vast fund of knowledge he never gave the slightest sense of superiority. A subject interested him-it must interest you. He was a man of simple material tastes and with energy that surprised many people his junior. As a friend he could and would do anything for you and it was easy to understand the affection that he inspired in many. On the other hand he was never casual, and professionally he was exacting-often impatient with those who did not match his standards. He knew that individual achievements were of little worth unless they could be passed on, and for this reason he was a good teacher and was active in promoting postgraduate education. 'Norman Capener was not only unique. He was a "whole" man and in every sense an "educated" man. The German word "Allegemeinheit", which he sometimes used to mean roughly "generality", expressed his approach to medicine and life as a whole. He had something about him of the universal genius of the Renaissance giants. 'Norman Capener was a profoundly sincere and devout man whose principles came before everything. He loved the past and its traditions, he lived to the full in the present, and had a fervent belief in our future. 'He was a good man. 'This evening, as we give formal acknowledgement to his exceptional gifts and achievements, our thoughts must be with his family and especially with Elsa, whose devotion to Norman in his dark days was an unparalleled example of love and service-and who is now deprived of that happiness together to which they had both looked forward. 'To have known Norman Capener is both Privilege and Pleasure and we can all take away and treasure our personal memories of a man whose contribution to the sum of human happiness was something very special.'
College news
IN MEMORIAM Norman Leslie Capener (1898-1975)
A service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Norman Capener was held on Saturday 3rd May at Exeter Cathedral. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, former President of the Medical Commissioin on Accident Prevention, was represented by Mr James Orr cvo. The addrcss, to a congregation of over 400 people, was given by Sir Thomas Holmes Sellors PPRCS.
'In the evening of the day and in these lovely surroundings we come to pay tribute to the memory of Norman Capener and to give thanks for his life's service in the presence of his family and friends. He worked in this city for over forty years and was acknowledged as one of its great luminaries. His name and fame have spread far beyond the West Country, not only in his profession, but in many other fields of interest. 'One of his colleagues best described this man as unique, and this he truly was in that he combined idealism and humanism with an immense versatility. Few men could claim to be recognized as a surgeoni of international repute and yet to be sufficiently skilled in the Arts to have had an
exhibition of his own work in this city's art gallery. And at the same time to be devoid of that intellectual arrogance that detracts from the merits of some great characters. Look at him from any angle and, I repeat, he was unique and rare. The visionary was combined with the man of action, the technician with the academic, and the practical organizer with the philosopher and naturalist. 'Norman came of a large family and as a boy was a member of the Temple Choir, which gave him a life-long interest in music-particularly that of early English church music. As a Londoner it was appropriate that his days as a medical student should have been spent at St Bartholomew's, where after qualification he served his resident appointments. Quite early on he had decided on a surgical career, which he furthered by spending five years as a teacher of anatomy. Then came the offer of a post as assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at Ann Arbor, Michigan. This was a happy period and determined the line of his professional career. 'In 193I he returned to this country and was appointed as consultant to the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital, to which he gave all his skills-and heart. He quickly started the task of organizing a service throughout Devon in which after-care and rehabilitation were given special emphasis, and the pattern of this organization remains a model for this branch of surgery. His personal efforts led to the construction of the gymnasium in his hospital, and on its outside wall can be seen the carved initials of Norman and his family. In the fullness of time he pioneered certain aspects of bone and joint surgery and gained a reputation that spread far beyond the West
Country. 'Recognition of his work and worth came in his election as president at one time or other of all the important orthopaedic societies in this country, and for a number of years he was the Ministry of Health's consultant adviser in his specialty. He was also chairman of many influential bodies in which he was particularly interested-Sports Medicine, Surgical Implants, Appliances for the Disabled, and notably the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention which he chaired up to the time of his last illness. 'In I96I he was elected to the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons, to which he gave valued
College news and unstinted service for I2 years, concluding with a two-year term as Vice-President. His advice and help on many matters, particularly those concerned with education, were invaluable, as also his care and knowledge of the College's artistic possessions. TIhe official visit of the College to this city last year had largely been organized and arranged by Norman and it was to have be^n the occasion when he was to receive the rarely awarded Gold Medal of the College. Alas, this was not to be, and the presentation was made at his sick-bed in his own hospital. 'These, then, are simply the outlines of a career in surgery in which he certainly "made these dry bones live", and is surely enough for one man's record. But the story does not end there. 'The literary and historical interests of Norman covered a wide field and there was one particular quarter on which his activities were concentrated. The library of this cathedral contains a number of ancient medical manuscripts, which he used as a basis for some of his studies. The Thomas Vicary Lecture which lie gave not so long ago on John of Gaddesden showed his skill as a man of letters and a historian. The records and treasures of Exeter City were also a happy hunting ground, and one of the last conversations we had with him concerned the history of some silver spoons in your Museum. 'But probably his great achievement outside medicine was in the world of sculpture. He had a sense of form and a feeling for material-be it wood, stone, or clay-that has the mark of a master. He was undoubtedly influenced by his friend Barbara Hepworth, who paid him the compliment of depicting him as a central figure in one of her important works which now hangs in the College of Surgeons. She also did a lovely bronze of his hands. Norman exhibited frequently at exhibitions in the West Country, often using the pseudonym Noel Carne, and, as I mentioned earlier, held an individual exhibition in Exeter some eight or nine years ago. In the world of bone surgery the Capener chisels are well known, and these bear the mark of the artist rather than the carpenter in their design. Sculpture was one of the dominant interests in his make-up as his imagination allowed him to visualize the forms that lay in the material he was about to bring to life. He was also a goodly painter who in water-colours could catch the landscape's fleeting moment. 'He was a true countrymani in his knowledge anid love of nature-an expert on birds, and in
53
later life when he lived on his farm he was at his happiest. Inevitably he travelled widely and many of his expeditions round the countryside or to London were made in an old open Bentley which he drove fast and furiously. More recently his cars became sedate and smaller and he was a passionate advocate for road safety and the wearing of seat-belts. 'Now, what of the man himself? To meet he was the essence of charm and courtesy, exuding enthusiasm on any and every topic. He was surprisingly youthful and vital and even with his vast fund of knowledge he never gave the slightest sense of superiority. A subject interested him-it must interest you. He was a man of simple material tastes and with energy that surprised many people his junior. As a friend he could and would do anything for you and it was easy to understand the affection that he inspired in many. On the other hand he was never casual, and professionally he was exacting-often impatient with those who did not match his standards. He knew that individual achievements were of little worth unless they could be passed on, and for this reason he was a good teacher and was active in promoting postgraduate education. 'Norman Capener was not only unique. He was a "whole" man and in every sense an "educated" man. The German word "Allegemeinheit", which he sometimes used to mean roughly "generality", expressed his approach to medicine and life as a whole. He had something about him of the universal genius of the Renaissance giants. 'Norman Capener was a profoundly sincere and devout man whose principles came before everything. He loved the past and its traditions, he lived to the full in the present, and had a fervent belief in our future. 'He was a good man. 'This evening, as we give formal acknowledgement to his exceptional gifts and achievements, our thoughts must be with his family and especially with Elsa, whose devotion to Norman in his dark days was an unparalleled example of love and service-and who is now deprived of that happiness together to which they had both looked forward. 'To have known Norman Capener is both Privilege and Pleasure and we can all take away and treasure our personal memories of a man whose contribution to the sum of human happiness was something very special.'
