A GREAT LOSS TO LOCAL MEDICINE
Obituary
By Dr. Winston E. Ince
Sunday Express
November 2, 1997
Page 30
More on the late Dr. Barrow and information on obtaining his book, "Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.
Dr. Russell William Barrow touched so many lives in so many different ways during a lifetime of service that it is difficult to chronicle his achievements without feeling somehow that one is not doing justice to the man.
His passing on September 23 has been an enormous loss to the medical profession, which held him with the highest regard.
Dr. Barrow was born on March 2nd 1925. He attended the Belmont Boys' Intermediate School and entered Queen's Royal College as an exhibitioner in 1936.
At QRC he was Senior Prefect, Air Scout Troop Leader, part-time constable in the Special Reserve Police Force and a member of the Debating Society.
He played for the college on the Second XI Cricket team and the football team.
Russell entered McGill University, Montreal, Canada to study electrical engineering in 1944, but decided on a medical career after obtaining a British Government scholarship in 1945.
He entered King's College Medical School.
Barrow returned to Trinidad in 1952 and served at the San Fernando and Port of Spain General Hospitals. He worked as an anaesthetist and did pioneering work in modern anaesthesia at San Fernando.
He returned to London for training in radiology and radiotherapy between 1955 and 1957.
He was consultant radiologist and radiotherapist at the San Fernando and Port of Spain General Hospitals from 1958-61.
Until his retirement in 1980 he served as senior radiologist in the country. From 1974-76 he was also acting medical director of the Port of Spain General Hospital.
Dr. Barrow's extra-curricular activities were legion.
He did not merely dabble in this and that, but directed his energies to acquiring unusual skill and proficiency in everything that he did.
He was an excellent photographer whose talent won him many first prizes and trophies and was one of the early members of the Astronomical Society, of which he became president.
Others may write more knowledgeably about Dr. Barrow's interest in many other fields, which included butterflies, fishing, metal turning, flying, satellite meteorology, horticulture, electronics, computer programming and theology. He was holder of a private pilot's license and a licensed amateur radio operator.
His book Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, published in 1993, is an outstanding achievement that demonstrates his photographic talent, his artistry, scientific accuracy and attention to detail.
It is a truly beautiful work and may well be regarded as his swan song.
He wrote several papers in learned medical journals on radiology and ultrasound.
Not the least of his attributes was his unabashed humility and self-effacing approach to service.
I well recall the last meeting with Dr. Barrow in the office of the Hospital Medical Director in 1980. He said to the assembled doctors, "I came to this hospital in 1961 quietly. Please, let me leave quietly. I do not with any special function to be held for me." And he did leave quietly.
Dr. Barrow rendered sterling service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for almost 40 years. In his later years he developed a deep interest in theology, which he studied with the same intensity that he devoted to his other interests.
As an external student he obtained the Diploma in Theology from Codrington College in Barbados.
He was a regular communicant at All Saints Church, Marli Street. There, he conducted classes in Bible study, discussing topics that were thoroughly researched, highly educational and thought provoking.
In 1986 he was awarded the Scroll of Honour by the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association for outstanding service to the cause of medicine.
In 1992 the General Practitioners Association also awarded him a Scroll of Honour. In 1990 he was elected a member of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.
The country finally honoured him in 1993 by awarding him the Chaconia Medal (Gold).
His was a full life that touched countless people. His passing was an enormous loss to his many friends and colleagues, and, of course, his family.
Our hearts go out to his dear wife Rita and to his children.
We are consoled by the fact that he is now in a far better place than he has ever known.