Ivan Jacobson, Dundee neuro-surgeon: born August 12, 1932, died February 6, 1996

IVAN JACOBSON, one of Scotland's top neuro-surgeons, has died in Dundee after a short illness. He was 63.

Mr Jacobson retired from clinical work at Dundee Royal Infirmary only last year, after establishing a reputation for its neuro-surgical unit among the leaders in its field.

A South African, he left his native country for Britain in the 1950s because of his hatred of the apartheid regime and he eventually joined the staff at Dundee Royal Infirmary.

Under his guidance, the hospital became one of the first to acquire a Catscan head scanner in 1976 and he pioneered the use of advanced medical techniques in the Dundee unit.

He was voted Dundee's Citizen of the Year in 1984 and was awarded the OBE last year.

After he retired from clinical work, Mr Jacobson continued to lecture in medicine at Dundee University.

His wife died five years ago and Dr Jacobson is survived by his three children and two grandchildren.