Obituary Mr A. Prentice

Press, 13 May 1981, Page 11

Obituary Mr A. Prentice

A former secretary of the North (Canterbury Hospital Board, * Mr Alexander “Sandy 1 ? Prentice, has died in Christchurch. He was 93. Mr Prentice joined the board in 1937 after serving ds secretary to the Ashburton Hospital Board. He held the post as secretary (later termed chief executive) of the North Canterbury Hospital Board until he retired in 1956.

After his retirement Mr Prentice devoted his time to raising funds for chapels at Sunnyside, Princess Margaret, and Burwood hospitals. The campaign opened in May, 1959. Mr Prentice led a team of more than 2000 voluntary workers, and in six months the target of more than $70,000 had been oversubscribed by $3OOO. For his work in this campaign Mr

Prentice was awarded the M.B.E.

Using methods, pioneered by Mr Prentice, Campaigns have been held in most other areas of New Zealand so that by now practically all piiblie hospitals have, or are getting, their own chapels. \

Mr Prentice is also remembered as.the initiator of the concept of using voluntary workers to help in hospitals at short notice. After working with a hospital board member and the National Council of Women, the idea first mooted by Mr Prentice led to the formation of the association now known as The Friends of the Hospital.

Mr Prentice, a keen gardener, maintained good health until he died suddenly at the week-end.

He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.