8:00am Saturday 26th January 2013
AN orthopaedic surgeon who worked at Hereford General Hospital for more than 25 years has died aged 72.
Vic Seal was appointed at the Nelson Street hospital in 1975 after spending 12 months working in a world-renowned spinal surgery unit in Hong Kong.
Vic, from Wellington, followed an interest in knee surgery and sports trauma and was involved in an international trial of artificial cruciate ligaments.
Needing money for his Hereford unit to buy an arthroscope – an instrument allowing the inside of a joint to be inspected or operated on – he raised the cash through sponsored ‘Hippy’ walks and jumble sales.
His wife Lee said he was never a fan of bureaucracy and valiantly fought a losing battle in committees against private finance initiatives.
Vic was also a big sports fan and was chairman of Whitecross Squash and Tennis Club in Hereford and used to provide orthopaedic services to Hereford United. In later years he ran the Great North Run.
Unfortunately, his 10-year retirement was dogged by ill-health but he maintained his love of music by learning to play the organ, eventually becoming chairman of the Hereford Organist Society.
A thanksgiving service was held for Vic at Hereford Cathedral on Tuesday.
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