Retired Rushden doctor Brian Lumb, who was instrumental in building the town’s (first) medical centre, has died aged 72.

Dr Lumb was born in Halifax, Yorkshire and after reading medicine at university, took his first hospital post in Bradford. He did his National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in Malaya and rising to the rank of major.

He returned to the UK and trained as a hospital consultant, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Physicians. He was senior registrar at Northampton General Hospital before joining Drs. Lean and Cunningham at Griffith Street, Rushden and Market Square, Higham Ferrers in 1960.

His son, Michael, a hospital consultant at Peterborough said “Although he trained as a hospital consultant he always wanted to be a GP. He was also honorary medical officer for Hinwick Hall School and the Arkwright Centre at Knuston. He loved music and was an accomplished pianist. He played the organ at St Mary the Virgin Church, Higham Ferrers and St Mary’s Church, Podington. He also enjoyed sailing and built his own yacht in a shelter in the back garden of his home in Northampton Road, Rushden”.

He retired from general practice at the age of 65 and in retirement he and wife Thelma enjoyed travelling and holidaying in France.

He leaves twin sons, Richard who is a lawyer and Michael, and three grandchildren.

The funeral service and committal will be at St Mary’s Church, Higham Ferrers on Friday at 2.30pm.

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