MUCH-loved Haslemere GP Dr Tom Richards, who was well-known to many people in the town, has died, aged 92.

Born on August 8, 1925, near Vienna, he was one of two boys, and was sent to school in England at a young age.

He developed the desire to help others from an early age and studied medicine at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, where he graduated in 1954, gaining the special surgery prize for obstetrics in his final year. Dr Richards played hockey, tennis and squash for the hospital and settled in England, where he married Ruth in April 1961.

As a GP, he did locum work in England and abroad, including Haslemere, where he was quickly embraced by the local practice in the 1950s and made his home.

A specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, Dr Richards became the “go to” doctor for deliveries, but was also much in demand for his sports talents and a member of Haslemere Hockey Club.

“Many people were brought into the world by Tom,” his son Keith said.

“He practised in Haslemere out of Well Lane House in the High Street, before commissioning what is now called the Haslemere Health Centre, where he was senior partner for many years.

“As the town grew and the NHS changed, the practice needed to evolve to be able to maintain quality care for its residents and so the health centre came into being, offering a wide range of care to save residents having to travel further afield.

“Tom was always very modest about his many achievements, probably due to his early upbringing, and always strived to be accepted, liked and quietly respected for his dedication and care of patients, and general work for the benefit of the town.

“As part of his work locally, he also worked as a GP for the Army in Bordon, The Holy Cross and Haslemere hospitals, and he was on a number of committees including Haslemere Hospital League of Friends.

“He had a number of articles published in the Lancet and British Medical Journal over his professional career, always looking to improve his own and general medical understanding for patients, and fighting the corner of anyone he felt needed support, or to be heard.”

Dr Richards retired from general practice in 1990 and stepped down as a committee member of The League of Friends in 2008.

He supported Haslemere Museum and strived to further the development of the town and the quality of the provision of its services to its local residents, having lived in the town for the best part of 60 years.

A loving husband, adored father and grandfather. Dr Richards (pictured) leaves his wife Ruth, two children, Keith and Sara, and five grandchildren.

• A thanksgiving service will be held at Guildford Crematorium on Monday, September 4, at midday.