Family members have paid tribute to a “totally dedicated” former Ilkley GP and Rotarian, who died last week.

Dr John Neasham, a popular GP at Ilkley’s Springs Lane Medical Centre for almost 30 years, died on Friday, aged 78.

Dr Neasham treated around 3,500 patients during his time as a local GP, and was known to many for his work with Ilkley Rotary Club.

He served as club president from 1976 to 1977, was District Governor in 1991 to 1992, and was a trustee of the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project, a scheme helping amputees in India.

Dr Neasham was once a patron of Wharfedale Music Festival.

He was an active member of All Saints Parish Church, a member of the parochial church council for several years, and sang in the choir, along with his wife Edna.

The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary two years ago His daughter, Christine, said he was totally dedicated to his patients, the community, and even more so to his family.

He was well-known in the community and always had time to talk to patients who stopped him in the street.

In addition to his general practice workload, he set up orthopaedic, diabetes and fracture clinics, and was at the forefront of various new developments in healthcare services.

Two of his previous trainees, Dr Mark French, and Dr Helen Watson, became principals in today’s Ilkley Moor Medical Practice.

Born in Spennymoor, County Durham, in May 1932, and proud of his roots, Dr Neasham was a lifelong supporter of Sunderland AFC.

He studied medicine at Birmingham University. He was in National Service from 1957 to 1959, serving as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He met his wife while at Colchester, where she was nursing with the Queen Alexandra’s. They married in 1959.

Following his retirement, he worked part-time for the Benefits Agency, using his medical expertise to help people undergoing benefits assessments.

Dr Neasham leaves a widow, children Richard, David, and Christine, and two grandchildren.

A service will take place at All Saints Parish Church on Monday, at 1pm. The family has requested no flowers.