Professor Christopher Redman MBBChir (Cantab), FRCP, FRCOG (fellowship ad eundem), 30 November 1941 to 13 August 2024

With profound sadness, the community mourns the loss of Professor Christopher (Chris) Redman, who passed away at the age of 82 after a distinguished career as a pioneering obstetric physician and professor. Chris' relentless pursuit of knowledge and his contributions to the health of women and newborns left an indelible mark on the field and on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Born in South Africa in 1941, Chris' early years were shaped by his father's work as an astronomer, leading the family to move to the United Kingdom where he attended grammar school in Cambridge. His academic journey led him from Cambridge University to Oxford's Clinical Medical School, igniting a passion for medical research that would define his career. His clinical journey took him to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore USA, to the University of Sheffield and then back to Oxford where he joined the Regius Department of Medicine.

Chris was a trailblazing innovator in maternal and fetal medicine. His first foray into obstetric research was a clinical trial on the efficacy of methyldopa for moderate hypertension in pregnancy where he showed a reduction in fetal loss, which was not due to a reduction in preeclampsia rates. He demonstrated that the drug had no adverse effects on fetal growth confirming that this drug was safe to use in pregnancy. From here onwards, Chris' career became focussed on preeclampsia and he led groundbreaking research into the role of extracellular vesicles released from the placenta in the pathogenesis of the condition.

His improvements in outcomes for mothers were not being matched by enhanced fetal outcomes and this culminated in the creation, alongside Professor Geoffrey Dawes, of the first computerised system for antepartum fetal heart rate analysis. This system, now used worldwide, has revolutionised clinical practice and decision-making in maternal and fetal medicine and stands as a testament to his foresight and unwavering dedication to patient care.

Chris started his high-risk clinic in 1983. Such was his commitment to his patients that they founded the Silver Star Charity in 1988 to raise funds for the unit and his research work. Even after retirement in 1998, Chris retained a major interest in driving understanding of preeclampsia and improving the Dawes-Redman algorithm, resulting in the publication of over 250 papers in this period alone, the most recent in June 2024.

In parallel with his academic achievements, Chris co-founded Action on Preeclampsia in 1991 (with Isobel Walker, a preeclampsia survivor and patient advocate), a charity that has dramatically improved care and awareness of the disease. He gave countless presentations and published comprehensive patient guides. His commitment to community engagement mirrored his zest for life, demonstrated in his enthusiasm for marathon running, hiking, ballroom dancing, and cycling to work, activities that kept him vibrant and well-connected.

At Oxford, where he spent the majority of his career, Chris was known not only for his sharp intellect and pioneering research, but also for his warm and engaging personality. He remained razor-sharp throughout, recognised for his tenacity, yet extremely supportive and endearingly funny. His ability to inject humour into scientific discussions made him a beloved figure among colleagues and students alike. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, both through his medical innovations and through his personal interactions. The corridors of Oxford will be quieter without his sage advice.

Dr. Christopher Redman is survived by his wife, Corinna, their five children and 13 grandchildren, to whom he was not just a scholar but a devoted family man. As we say goodbye, we celebrate a life well-lived, full of intellect, passion and kindness.