A veteran doctor who practised in Bermuda for more than 50 years has died.

Gordon Black, who was 91, grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and arrived in Bermuda in 1957 for a residency at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and promptly fell in love with the island — and his wife Patricia.

He worked in the Government health department as a medical officer after his stint at the hospital. Dr Black also served as prison medical officer and served the mentally ill at St Brendan’s, which is now the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

He entered general practice in 1964 and was based in Somerset before he moved on to Hamilton in 1968. He worked in general practice and obstetrics before he retired in 2012 at the age of 85. Annabel Fountain, head of the Bermuda Medical Doctors Association, said Dr Black was dedicated to his patients.

Dr Fountain added: “I have known Dr Black my whole life; he delivered me. He looked after me as a child, through my teens and during my school and university holidays until his retirement.

“He was a mentor to me as I went through my studies and, when I returned home to work in 2010, he was the most trustworthy and loyal supporter.”

Dr Fountain, a diabetes specialist, said she loved referrals from Dr Black because of their painstaking detail.

She added: “He knew his patients so well and was able to recite their story over decades of his care, creating a thorough understanding for the reader of what was required.

“He was a pragmatic physician, who was careful with his prescribing and the costs associated with medical care.

“All of these qualities I aspire to emulate in my practice.”

Dr Fountain said Dr Black was always available for discussion and advice.

She added: “He was extremely dedicated to his patients whom he continued to visit in the hospital when admitted, long after the hospitalist programme was instituted.

“Earlier this year, Dr Black was awarded honorary lifetime membership of the BMDA in recognition of his more than 50 years of service to the Bermuda community. As president of the BMDA, it was a great honour for me to award Dr Black lifetime honorary membership. It was a special moment for us both. I will miss him.”

Tawanna Wedderburn, chief executive officer for the Bermuda Health Council, said Dr Black had offered the council help when it first started.

She said: “His most memorable advice was given when asked about the maintenance of patient records. Dr Black responded that it was more important to spend time listening to and caring for patients rather than learning how to navigate new IT systems. This advice reflects the essence of how important Dr Black’s patients were to him.”

In 2013, Dr Black penned General Practice in Bermuda, about his time on the island and his experiences as a doctor.

He said when it was published that he had always loved practising medicine and felt privileged to work in an occupation where he looked forward to going to work on Monday morning.

He told The Royal Gazette: “Now I miss seeing patients and keep bumping into them in town and they give me a hug,”

Dr Black is survived by Patricia, son Chris and grandchildren Adrian and Annabelle.