A MUCH-LOVED GP who worked in Bromsgrove for almost 40 years has died at the age of 75.
Dr Ulrich ‘Sherry’ Schirrmacher arrived in England with his parents in 1947 and went to school in Farnborough, before qualifying as a doctor from St George’s Medical School in London in 1965.
He worked at the Royal Marsden Hospital but decided his calling was for general practice and in 1970 he joined the Birmingham Road Practice, which is now Davenal House Surgery.
After only being in Bromsgrove for a few months, Sherry was invited to join a committee of cancer specialists who were sent out to Munich to investigate the questionable cancer treatment being given by Dr Josef Issels at his Munich Clinic.
During the 70s and 80s Sherry’s interest in computers proved a great asset in developing the computerisation of the practice, which has now grown out of all recognition to those early days 40 years ago.
He was a member of the Health Care Commissioning Group set up in the days of Margaret Thatcher’s fund-holding in general practice which produced a very efficient system of healthcare within the town.
He had a large following of loyal patients which he had built up over the years. Many said they missed his quiet unflappable demeanour when he retired.
Sherry became a very enthusiastic member of the Freemasons in the 1970s and he was still a member when he died having been in several Lodges and reaching high Provincial office.
His big love was sailing and for many years he had a boat moored at Dartmouth.
Every weekend, when not working , he would join the rest of the ‘Birmingham Navy’ and head off down to Devon for a weekend, enjoying his boat and the thrill of being out at sea.
On his retirement he took up golf, and became a keen member of the Seniors Section of Droitwich Golf Club, where he made many new friends who will sorely miss him.
He is survived by his wife, Nickie, three children and seven grandchildren.
Dr Ulrich Otto Erich Schirrmacher was born on November 17, 1940 and died on November 14.
