John Hungerford (12 Oct 1944 - 31 Oct 2021)

I have unfortunately only just heard about Mr John Hungerfords sad passing. He was my hero in 1986 he treated my 5 month old son Matthew James Smethurst with bilateral retinoblastoma , he removed his right eye and treated the 3 tumours in his left eye culminating in him having lens sparing radiotherapy on his 1st birthday then later when he was 9 years old fitted him with an implant. I found him to be very kind honest and straightforward to the point on bluntness, so when he gave me good news I believed him 100% I was a single parent at the time and very scared , it took me a week to be able say Retinoblastoma. Mr Hungerford was loved and respected by all of us parents he was our savior. Thank you for saving my son's life, when I first met you I didn't think my son would reach his 1st birthday he will now be 40 next year. From the bottom of my heart thank you you truly were our hero. My condolences to you family friends and colleagues. From Lynne Reynolds nee Smethurst

I walked into his clinic unknowingly with cancer here I am many years later still with my eye non working but still were it should be ,that's a win . Many lives have been made longer, safe to live another day due to John hungerford and his team thank you for helping us to live

I saw John Hungerford at UCL in the 1980's when I had double vision and thought it was a symptom of MS. John understood my fears and explained in greater clarity and with more information than I'd heard before on the subject that my eye problem and other symptoms were not indicative of MS which (I never developed).I was very impressed at his sympathy, expertise and the tine he gave to put my fears to rest for which I shall always be grateful.

In 1998 I travelled from South wales to Bart’s in London with my husband and parents diagnosed with choroidal melanoma Being a former patient of Dr J Hungerford I was saddened to find out today that he sadly passed away in 2021 I wish to say a big thank you for being the best and for saving my life I’m now a grandmother to 3 beautiful grandchildren , thank you mr Hungerford for your professionalism and kindness , and my condolences to your family …..

I have just received the sad news about the passing away of Dr John Hungerford. I was his patient since 1999 when I was studying in London, He met my parents and my then finance and they all respected him and highly appreciated his knowledge and expertise. He operated on me in 2003 and I only came back once after that with my little eldest boy. I remember how he was so kind to my son and chatted with him although he was a very busy man.
I often think of Mr Hungerford, and it was a shock to me that he passed away.
I wish he will be in paradise now, and I send his best wishes to his daughter and wife.

Dima Khleifat
Amman - Jordan

So grateful to Dr Hungerford,for saving my sons life, within a week of being diagnosed with Retanoblastoma in 1992 , for ever grateful

I am so sad to have only just discovered the passing of Mr Hungerford. I worked for him exactly 15 years ago and still remember it like it was yesterday. He was such an inspiring man who really did set the scene for the treatment of ocular cancers. I found him to be such a humble man considering the treatment he developed and carried out. He was a wonderful teacher who had such patience to teach junior doctors who he knew would not follow his path but utilise that knowledge and skill in other areas. I very much enjoyed on a Friday afternoon being called in between patients to play the guessing game of what his new login password was. My favourite, which was aimed at the bureaucracy he experienced when trying to do his job, was ‘Armageddon’! Rest well boss, the difference you made to all the lives around you will be remembered for a lifetime.
I like many other doctors will continue to answer the question of why do you do it that way, with ‘because that’s how John Hungerford taught me!’
Thank you.
Daniel

Thank you for your kindness

I first met John on our first day at High School and although we lost touch when I moved to Canada to be a teacher of chemistry and science at Queen Elizabeth High School ( QEHS ) we had recently reconnected through email. He was a kind and thoughtful man who will be missed by all who knew him. My deepest condolences
Peter Darke

John was my first boss when I came to ophthalmology as a brand-new SHO at Barts Hospital over 20 years ago. It was an absolute joy working for him. I learned so much from him both personally and professionally. He was an absolute joy to work with and even now, 20 years later and much more senior, I still basking in his reflected glory. I would never have thought about a career in ocular oncology without my time with John – I owe him my career. To this day I have never worked with anyone who works so hard and for such long hours. I remember him fondly. I will cherish the parties and lunches at Kingswood hanger after he retired and our trips to the National Theatre with Yvonne and Amit and his family after he retired. Kathy and I send our love and best wishes to Yvonne and Miranda.

My family will be forever grateful to a brilliant surgeon and a very kind and calm gentleman for all he did for my son Leon and many years of appts.
My condolences to his family

I was a trainee at St. Bart’s in Mr Hungerfords team. Such a kind, caring man from whom I learned so much. My deepest condolences to his family.

Mr Hungerford was my clinical supervisor when I was a wee foundation doctor starting my career. I remember him both as a kind, caring physician and a true gentleman. Colleagues respected and admired him; patients adored him. He had a special and rare way with people a real human touch. His achievements in his profession speak for themselves. He dedicated his life to improving and saving so many lives especially children. It was a real privilege to have briefly shared the clinical arena with him witnessing and learning a great deal about surgery and life from him. My lasting memory will be having chats about the interesting stories from the metro newspaper in the mornings before our day in theatre! Just the nicest most humble and amazing person! Rest easy and my condolences to his family and loved ones.

In honour of my brother-in-law. With love and regrets, Ian Rayment

In memory of an exceptionally dedicated eye surgeon with whom I associated with since the later eighties. A very remarkable person and unique character, who was instrumental in starting the first proton therapy service in the UK in 1989. This service should be considered a memorial to his energy and foresight.
Andrzej

From Gennady Leonov. In memory of Mr. John Hungerford, a wonderful gentleman and a brilliant surgeon who operated on me in 1995 and saved my life. Also with the gratitude of my family.

Forever grateful for your skill. An outstanding surgeon and human. Your loss is deeply felt.

Mr Hungerford was the most amazing consultant who saved our Grandson Alex's life following a late diagnosis of Retinoblastoma when Alex was aged just 3yrs in 2005 We are forever indebted to his expertise and skill given at the darkest of times for all of our family. Alex is now a healthy, second year, Criminology student who well into his early teens, continued in the care of Mr Hungerford. Mr Hungerford inspired Alex to achieve and to never be held back by the loss of his eye. The reassurance and guidance Alex and we received from Mr H will never again be matched. We are so deeply grateful that Alex was fortunate to be referred into his care. Mr Hungerford will hold a place in our hearts for all time.

I would like to thank John for saving my Grandaughters sight great surgeon he will be greatly missed.

In loving memory of John from Una, Sonia , Douglas and families

In loving memory of dear John with whom we have so many happy memories from Una, Sonia ,
Mike and the Australian Rayments

With love and happy memories from the Clark family

Lovely memories of being with the family at Kingswood for your open gardens in May and New Year's Day lunches. Your lifelong work as an ophthalmologist had such a positive effect on so many people's life. We feel proud to have known you.

In loving memory of a dear friend who we will always remember with great fondness

From Pam & the family

Great guy

In memory of our uncle, Karen, Peter and Richard.

Thank you for your talent and care, you will go on in our hearts

In memory of John and a cause close to his heart. With love, Sarah and Robin