Dr Alastair Ian Orr, MB BCh BAO 1954 (died 29 September 2016, aged 85)
Obituary kindly provided by family
Alastair Orr was born on 24 December 1927 in Clough, County Down. The family later moved to Ballymoney where his father, the Reverend Charles Orr, was Presbyterian minister.
He attended Coleraine Academical Institute where he was Head Boy and Captain of Rugby, as well as showing prowess in athletics and rowing. From there, Alastair went to Queen’s University Belfast in 1947 to read medicine, graduating in 1954.
While at Queen’s he met his future wife, Roberta (Betty) Thompson, also a medical student, although a few years behind.
Upon graduating, Alastair found it hard to obtain work in Ulster. After short spells in Goole and in Penkridge in Staffordshire, he joined a general practice in Walton, Liverpool, and set up home, with Betty, in Blundellsands to the north of the city.
The practise was at first just two doctors but expanded over the years and for a long time also included another Queen’s medical graduate, Dr Kenneth Loane.
Alastair worked as a family GP in Walton for over 40 years and particularly enjoyed treating several generations of the local families.
Alastair and Betty also found time to raise 4 children; Heather, Clare, Susan and Richard.
On retirement, Alastair and Betty moved to be closer to the majority of their family in Scotland and for over 20 years lived happily in Banchory on Royal Deeside until Alastair’s death on 29 September 2016, aged 88, from prostate cancer.
Alastair is survived by Betty, his four children, 15 grandchildren and one great granddaughter, in all of whom he took great pride.
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