It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michael (Mike) Askew, FRCS, ARPS. Mike died at Portsmouth Hospital on Monday 6th, August, as a result of a long-standing illness which he had faced stoically.

Having served as a Medical Officer in the Royal Navy, Mike became well- known as a local doctor in the area of Alverstoke, but his quiet, friendly and helpful nature also brought him to prominence within the wider medical world, where his typical charm and efficiency were valuable qualities as a chairman and organiser of conferences and study groups. However, throughout his whole career, he also maintained a passionate love of photography and consistently produced work of the highest quality.

I first met Mike at Southampton Camera Club and was delighted when I became President in 2002 that he was elected Vice President. I highly valued his wider understanding and perspectives on the photographic world, always found his advice well-balanced and sound. He was a man one could work with very easily, and in running the club, we soon established a good relationship and friendship. When Mike became President he brought a delightfully dry sense of humour, a wealth of experience and many good initiatives. Like so many, I was devastated to learn of his illness, but admired him immensely for the openness and courage with which he dealt with it.

Mike was always prepared to encourage new photographers or offer advice, always happy to share his experience and skills. He stuck most loyally to film and darkroom work despite having won a free copy of PhotoShop. However, he did later embrace the digital era, and succeeded in this too. Mike travelled widely in pursuit of Photography, often with the doctors' photographic club and with Charlie Waite, with whom he was great friends, to locations as varied as Cuba, China, Venice and Namibia. It was while he was on his way to Cuba that a French diplomat became ill. It was Mike who answered the call "Is there a doctor on board", then was credited with saving the patient's life.

Mike was a member of the The Royal Photographic Society, Southampton and Gosport Camera Clubs. He loved to produce high quality prints covering a range of subjects. He held many exhibitions of his work, including an annual one at Alverstoke church.

The family held a private cremation service on August ??., followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at Alverstoke Church. Many friends and fellow photographers attended to show their respects to a man who was so much a pillar of strength and so well liked.

Our sympathies go to his wife Jackie, who understood and supported his dedicated interest in photography over many years, and to all members of his closely-knit family. Mike will be sorely missed by his family, many friends, ex-colleagues and the wider photographic community.

David Kessel, BA, LRPS, member of SCC, The RPS & The SPF Council