"I've trained half the fruit growers of this country," claimed my friend David Burd on his retirement in 1990. David, who has died aged 87, was a senior lecturer in horticulture at Hadlow College, in Tonbridge, Kent, and tutored students in fruit culture during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Stimulating company, with a great sense of humour, he was good at talking – and listening. His lectures were crisp and provocative; his objective was to stimulate thought and promote discussion. One of his colleagues told me that David was usually the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night. There was a conscientiousness in all he undertook.
David and I served on the Royal Horticultural Society's fruit group committee. We benefited from his knowledge and he contributed greatly to the National Fruit Show.
He was a son of the manse, the youngest of nine children, born in the remote Scottish fishing village of Lochinver, Sutherland. Life was hard and money was short, but his parents brought him up in a loving home and ensured he received a good education.
During the second world war, David put aside his university plans and volunteered for the Black Watch. He would not discuss his war service, though he was proud of his regiment.
He chose a career in horticulture and, after gaining practical experience, attended Writtle College, Essex, and gained its diploma. He worked at the Long Ashton research station, Bristol, and at the Scottish Horticulture Research Institute (now the James Hutton Institute), Dundee, before accepting a lecturing post in Kent in 1961. He was awarded a medal by the East Kent Fruit Society "to recognise commitment and dedication to the top fruit industry" and received an award from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.
David was a happy, contented family man. Many years ago he assured me that he would be all right in later life because he had two marvellous doctor sons. And this proved to be true. In late retirement, after his wife, Connie, whom he married in 1949, and his daughter, Anne, had died, he moved from Kent to Leicestershire to be near his sons, Andrew and Robert, both consultants. There, David established an annual Burns night party for the villagers of South Kilworth and tutored on the merits of malts to the whisky society.
He is survived by his sons, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.