John Potter A neurosurgeon who practised in Oxford for many years, John Potter, has died aged 81.

Mr Potter, formerly of Park Town, Oxford, became graduate assistant to the Nuffield Professor of Surgery in Oxford, Sir Hugh Cairns, in 1951. His first consultancy post was at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, but when the invitation came for him to return to Oxford to join Joe Pennybacker, Sir Hugh's successor, he eagerly accepted, and spent the rest of his life in Oxford.

In 1961 he was appointed consultant neurosurgeon at the Radcliffe Infirmary and published The Practical Management of Head Injuries, which became the standard manual for more than two decades. Both he and Mr Pennybacker became the strongest advocates for the compulsory use of crash helmets.

In 1972, Mr Potter became Director of Postgraduate Medical Education and Training at the University, and was appointed Fellow of Linacre College, and later, Wadham College. He served on the General Medical Council, on Oxford Regional Health Authority, and as a trustee of the United Oxford Hospitals. His professional interests also included the history of medicine and its institutions, and medical ethics.

Mr Potter's private passions included fishing and Mozart. He had a thirst for detail and knowledge, whether factual, anecdotal or humorous.

He found his favourite fishing in the Scottish Borders, and also made regular visits to the chalk streams of Hampshire. His other interests included ornithology and botany, and he spent some years as a curator of the University Parks. He was a trustee of Park Town, and his personal care of communal gardens will be much missed.

Mr Potter, who died at Sobell House, Headington, is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their three sons, Jim, Andrew and Simon.

A thanksgiving service for his life will be held at Wadham College chapel on April 20 at 3pm.