A grandfather-of-six who founded one of Kent’s longest-running dental practices has died aged 93.

Richard Thornhill, known as Dick, started the Faversham Dental Practice in 1958 and helped generations of residents with his gentle and patient techniques in an era when the industry saw massive changes.

He was also known for enthusiastic performances as part of the Faversham Philharmonic Society, prominent roles in the town’s Freemasons and as an esteemed member of the Faversham Society.

Leading tributes to their late father following his death on Sunday, July 28, daughters Deborrah and Frankie reflected on the many elements which made their dad such a beloved character.

The pair told KentOnline: “He was a real joker and he had an incredible sense of humour that went on literally until ten minutes before he died. He was just quite incredible.

“If you walked down Preston Street with him while he was still a dentist, it took something like half an hour because everyone would stop and talk to him.

“Even now, everybody breaks into a smile and says ‘I'm really sorry’ but then immediately say how he was such a lovely man who was so kind and funny and gentle and patient.

“He was keen on gardening, and he created this wonderful garden that we three children had fantastic memories growing up in. He had real green fingers and used to spend a lot of time in it and just loved it.

“Dad loved food and drink and was quite critical of food and drink as well, but absolutely loved it along with travel, which was another real interest – he and Mum used to travel all over the world.

“For us, he was lovely – he was really kind, funny and colourful.

“He wasn't really very biased and he was quite open to discussing all facets of society, of beliefs and religion.”

Born in Nottingham on New Year’s Eve 1930, Dick enjoyed a childhood learning about music and playing in bomb craters left behind after World War II.

After receiving his high school certificate in 1949, specialising in natural science, he moved to London and trained at the Royal Dental Hospital School of Dental Surgery.

He worked at The Middlesex Hospital before joining the RAF as a flying Lieutenant in 1955, weeks after marrying his wife Lallah Rosalie Panton – known as Ros by those who knew her.

Their marriage would last 65 years and bring three children; Deborrah who was born in Germany during Dick’s RAF service in 1957, Frankie in 1958 and William in 1961.

Having opened his practice in the market town, Dick and Ros lived in Harbledown for multiple years before moving to Brogdale Road where he would settle for the next 60 years.

Giving up the surgery in 1983 to Christine Lupin, the father-of-three would continue to operate from his home until he finally retired in 1992.

He would remain involved in goings-on in the town, with a keen interest in preserving the historic Maison Dieu and preventing the building of a bypass in Ospringe as a member of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

Dick also had a stint as the secretary of the Faversham Freemasons, where he became famous for his quirk of writing up the minutes of meetings in rhyming prose.

Musical shows held in the town inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan – who Dick dearly appreciated – often saw the dentist take to the stage and join in, a hobby in which he found a lot of joy.

Dick and Ros left their long-time Brogdale Road home in 2019, the year prior to her death, with the retired dentist relocating out of the county in June this year.

After a fall left him bedbound for weeks, Dick died peacefully of old age surrounded by family at a care home in Norfolk on Sunday, July 28.

A private funeral for Dick will be held in Norwich for family only but a memorial reception will be held in Faversham on the week commencing September 9.

Anyone wishing to attend should email Deborrah at debsthornhill@gmail.com