Dr David Twiss obituary

David studied at Sheffield from 1961-1965 where he started his degree in Chemistry before transferring to a combined honours degree in Physics and Chemistry.  He then moved back to Birmingham for his MSc in Radiobiology and finally a PhD in Medical Physics. 

He married Margaret in 1969 when she was a Therapy Radiographer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. David was appointed head of Medical Physics at The Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton, later to become New Cross Hospital when the old hospital was demolished. 

He retired in 2002 as Head of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, although he went back part time for two years as Radiation Safety Advisor which he enjoyed immensely - no staffing problems, no finance, no meetings. As he said, "Just being a physicist."

Alongside his work as a medical physicist, David attained a Certificate in Theology from St John’s College, Nottingham followed by training in Lay Readership in the Church of England. He served as Reader at St Stephen’s Church, Selly Park in Birmingham for almost 38 years, until shortly before his death. 

After retiring from work he took up art, and proved very efficient at painting. In his spare time he also sat as Lay Assessor on three Birmingham University committees, as a Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, and headed up a team which was responsible for the re-ordering of our church. 

He said that his funeral service was to be a sad celebration and it was, even though we were only allowed to have thirty people there and no singing. There was a committal at the crematorium followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at St Stephen’s. Sad because he is no longer with us, but a celebration that he is now with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are planning to hold a Service of Celebration in the New Year, Covid permitting.

Submitted by David's widow, Margaret.