Clive Ryder

Clive attended The City of London School in the Class of 1979 and often recalled many happy memories from his time there.

He subsequently attended the University of Birmingham Medical School from which he graduated as a doctor in 1984.

He remained in the Midlands where he worked in various hospitals in the area, eventually specialising in Paediatric Rheumatology at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he was clinical lead for many years and was hugely responsible for developing the specialty at the hospital and throughout the West Midlands. He was described by his colleagues as an insightful, thoughtful and clear thinking clinician with the best interests of his patients at heart. Long after his retirement from clinical practice, his patients asked after him. They knew that they were safe in his hands.

Clive’s contributions to clinical research in his field included important papers on the use of MRI to predict the development of arthritis in children.

His skills as an educator were outstanding. Trainees taught by Clive are now paediatric rheumatologists not only in the UK, but in many other countries in the world. He was postgraduate clinical tutor at BCH and then programme director for paediatrics for the West Midlands.

Subsequent other local NHS leadership positions included deputy chief medical roles at the Heartlands Hospital and the University Hospital of Birmingham.

Clive was considering winding down towards his retirement, when he planned to spend more time with his family and to enjoy many more holes of golf with his friends. Sadly he was taken far too young by advanced prostate cancer before he had chance to enjoy a well earned rest.

He leaves behind his wife, their three children and four grandchildren. He was a wonderful person who is sadly missed.

With thanks to Jill, Clive’s wife, for this obituary.