Since the appointment of Professor John Forrester and the establishment of the Department of Ophthalmology in 1984, eye research at Aberdeen has grown from strength to strength. What was a programme that focused mainly on three major causes of blindness - diabetes, corneal disease, and uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) has now evolved to include conditions affecting both the eye and the brain. Four gifts in wills received in recent years are contributing to life-changing advances in both ophthalmology and neuro-immunology.
Alistair Lynn CVO CBE QPM was born in Carradale, Argyll in 1926. On leaving school at the age of 15 he enjoyed a varied career in the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, the Post Office, and the police, marrying his beloved Chrissie in 1957. He joined the police in Argyll in 1948 and there followed a 42-year career which saw him rise through the ranks to become Chief Constable of Grampian Police in 1983.
During his time as Chief Constable he led Grampian Police’s response to the Piper Alpha disaster and was responsible for the security of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her stays at Balmoral and her travels throughout the region. By the time he retired in 1990, Alistair’s contribution to British society had been recognised by his being awarded The Queen’s Police Medal, a CBE and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his personal service to The Late Queen.
Alistair lost his sight through macular degeneration and was under the care of Professor John Forrester. On his death in 2021 at the age of 95, he left a generous gift in his will for ophthalmology research which added to a substantial lifetime gift he made in 2020.
In 2021, the University received another very generous gift in the will of Elizabeth B Mair for the Department of Ophthalmology. Unfortunately, we know very little about Elizabeth and her motivation to leave the whole residue of her estate to the University.
We do know that she was born in Aberdeen, the daughter of John and Isabella Mair, and was brought up in Marischal Street in the city centre. She had one sister, Rose, who died at a young age. After spending her final years in Laurels Lodge Care Home, Elizabeth died in March 2020 at the age of 93. With no living relatives mentioned in her will, her generosity will go a long way towards the advancement of our research.
Dr George Robertson was a double graduate of the University of Aberdeen, MBChB 1958 and MD 1973, a former colleague and a dedicated regular gift donor from 2000 until his death at the age of 90 on New Year’s Day 2024. His long-term commitment to supporting students at the University during his lifetime was followed by a gift in his will to the University for ophthalmology research and greatest need.
George was born in Peterhead in late December 1933 to John, a garage owner, and Alice, a teacher. Following his first graduation in 1958, he married Audrey in 1960 and they had three children.
A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, George’s remarkable career took him to London and Canada before settling back in Aberdeen where, in 1969, he became a well-respected honorary senior lecturer at the University.
George’s obituary honoured a devoted family man and a great inspiration and loyal friend to many, and we are deeply grateful for both his lifetime support and the generous legacy gift he chose to leave to the University.
David Bruce was born in Aberdeen and lived in the Anderson Avenue family home he was brought up in until just a few years before his death. Health issues in his 80s, including the loss of his sight, forced a move into sheltered accommodation, but even that was just a couple of miles away in the Bridge of Don.
An only child, David followed his father into lorry driving for most of his adult life. He had no obvious connection to the University of Aberdeen, but when he died in April 2025 at the age of 90, with no immediate family, he left a very generous gift in his will for ophthalmology research at the University. He referred to his own sight loss and to his mother suffering from glaucoma and therefore wanted to support our research.
These four gifts will have a powerful and long-reaching effect on our research. They will allow us to build on our wealth of experience in ophthalmology and take forward innovative neuro-immunology research which will enable us to explore fresh ways of studying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and age-related macular degeneration.
Of the four gifts above, three came from individuals with no prior connection to the University of Aberdeen, but who chose to give as grateful patients, recognising the crucial role research plays in improving lives. We are very grateful to them all for their foresight and generosity.
If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about the gift in your will to the University of Aberdeen please contact Vanessa Holmes, Legacy Giving Officer, +44 (0)1224 274132 or vanessa.holmes@abdn.ac.uk.
