Harry Stalker

Harry Stalker died, aged 90, on 19 June 2003. He was born in Edinburgh, educated at Daniel Stewarts College and he graduated in Medicine in 1935 from Edinburgh University. He obtained a DipPsych in 1938, an MD(Commended) in 1939, FRCPE in 1943 and FRCPsych in 1972. He was elected a Commonwealth fund Fellow in 1947-48, which time he spent in the psychiatric services in New York.

He began his career in psychiatry at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital under D. K. Henderson (later Sir David) and was appointed Lecturer in Psychiatry, a position he held from 1938 to 1950, and served as Deputy Physician Superintendent from 1942 until 1950. After 2 years as a consultant at Cane Hill Hospital, Surrey, he was appointed Physician Superintendent at Murthly Hospital, Perthshire, and 10 years later, in 1962, at Murray Royal Hospital, Perth.

After suffering a severe sub-arachnoid haemorrhage, from which he made an excellent recovery, he resigned his management responsibilities, but continued as consultant until he retired in 1977.

In his formative years in psychiatry he wrote papers on ‘Masquerading in Uniform’ and ‘Nocturnal enuresis’, and the major influences in his life were D. K. Henderson and Adolf Meyer, whose views on clinical practice were incorporated into his own practice. He also strongly supported the concept of the hospital as a therapeutic community. Another significant influence was his wife, Elspeth, whom he married in 1950, and who was very much the creator of the artistic and cultural changes they brought to the hospital community.

His career in psychiatry spanned more than 40 years - a large part being before the introduction of the NHS in 1948.

Harry was a great lover of books, and he built up a large personal library as well as an excellent medical library at the Murray Royal Hospital. In recognition of this, it was with due ceremony renamed The Stalker Library. He contributed to the publication of the first history of the hospital 1827-1927 and researched and wrote the history covering the period from 1927 to 1977.

His interests, both civic and professional, included marriage guidance, the Franco-Scottish Society, history of medicine, The Howard League, local theatre and the Probus Club. He was also a collector of art, in its many forms.

In his clinical work, he was invariably patient, tolerant and understanding. His practice was based on the twin pillars of good history-taking and detailed physical examination. He particularly enjoyed Liaison Psychiatry and psycho-somatic medicine.

He leaves his two daughters, Kirsten and Elizabeth, and a much loved grandson, Jamie.