BSAVA saddened to learn of death of former President Derek Tavernor

5 November 2018

The BSAVA is saddened to learn of the death of Derek Tavernor who was President of the BSAVA from 1970-71.

William Derek Tavernor qualified from Liverpool University and was later awarded a PhD. After two years in general practice he worked in the virology department of Messrs Glaxo, then moved to the Royal Veterinary College where he was a lecturer and later senior lecturer in the department of surgery.

At the same time as being BSAVA President he took up an appointment with the Home Office. He chaired a number of BSAVA committees before becoming president, and later became president of the BVA and served on the RCVS Council.

Derek and his wife Susan had three children, one of whom, Angela, followed in her father’s footsteps and entered the veterinary profession.

Colleague Peter Bedford, who served with Mr Tavernor at the BSAVA, recalls Derek Tavernor was a man of action who gave the impression that he always knew where he was going and how to get there. These qualities were well displayed during his time as BSAVA President, when he chaired an extraordinary general meeting early in his presidential year, in connection with the Product Endorsement Scheme and the Animal Medical Foundation.

He will be missed by his many colleagues and acquaintances from the veterinary world, and our sympathies are with his family and friends.