Prof. John Peter Blandy, CBE (1927-2011)

The EAU was saddened to hear of the recent passing of early member Prof. John Peter Blandy, CBE. Prof. Blandy peacefully passed away in his home on July 23rd, at the age of 83. He was Emeritus Professor of Urology at The Royal London Hospital, and Balliol Honorary Fellow (Oxford).Prof. Blandy worked tirelessly to introduce transurethral prostate surgery (TURP) in the UK, and was head of the British Association of Urological Surgeons. Furthermore, he was a pioneer of reconstructive surgery of the urethra. He authored several influential textbooks, some of which are still mandatory reading for students to this day.

Beyond Britain, Prof. Blandy worked to advance urological practice in his roles as head of the EAU’s Scientific Committee (1984), as Congress President of the 8th EAU Congress in London (1988), and as President of the EBU (1991-1992). Blandy was an Honorary Member of the EAU, and was awarded the Willy Gregoir Medal in 2001 for his significant contribution to the development of the urological specialty in Europe.

Prof. Per-Anders Abrahamsson, EAU Secretary General commented: “I am saddened to hear of John’s passing. I first met him when I was training as a resident in the 1970s and 1980s. The EAU has lost a highly esteemed member, and he will be dearly missed. John was an excellent lecturer, an elegant surgeon and a true gentleman. My condolences go out to his family.”

Blandy’s passion for urology is clear in the preface to the first edition of his widely-read textbook Lecture Notes on Urology, continually published in various editions since 1976:

“The author makes no apology for the claim that the specialty of urology encompasses some of the most important, and arguably the most fascinating of all the topics of medicine and surgery. My object has been to communicate my own interest and enthusiasm to my students, for unlike some topics which they have to learn, there ought to be nothing boring or dull in this, the oldest and most vigorous of all the specialties.”