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Mike Kerfoot obituary Mike Kerfoot obituary
(3 months later)
My friend Mike Kerfoot, who has died aged 67 after suffering from a brain tumour, specialised in the prevention of suicide and self-harm among young people. He was professor of child and adolescent policy and research at the University of Manchester from 1996 until his retirement in 2008. A skilled practitioner, sought out as an expert adviser by local and national government, Mike published widely in the field. He maintained a strong commitment to teaching throughout his career.My friend Mike Kerfoot, who has died aged 67 after suffering from a brain tumour, specialised in the prevention of suicide and self-harm among young people. He was professor of child and adolescent policy and research at the University of Manchester from 1996 until his retirement in 2008. A skilled practitioner, sought out as an expert adviser by local and national government, Mike published widely in the field. He maintained a strong commitment to teaching throughout his career.
His growing international reputation led to extensive involvement overseas, particularly in Ukraine, where he led a pioneering research project working with grassroots organisations providing support to street children. He was also a regular presenter of research papers at international conferences.His growing international reputation led to extensive involvement overseas, particularly in Ukraine, where he led a pioneering research project working with grassroots organisations providing support to street children. He was also a regular presenter of research papers at international conferences.
Born into a large family in Rainford (now in Merseyside), Mike attended the local school and went on to qualify as a psychiatric social worker. He completed his MSc at Leeds University in 1975 and was awarded a PhD by Manchester University in 1984. He combined teaching and practice, specialising in child and family guidance, until moving to Manchester University full-time in 1990.Born into a large family in Rainford (now in Merseyside), Mike attended the local school and went on to qualify as a psychiatric social worker. He completed his MSc at Leeds University in 1975 and was awarded a PhD by Manchester University in 1984. He combined teaching and practice, specialising in child and family guidance, until moving to Manchester University full-time in 1990.
Mountain climbing and fell walking were great passions in Mike's life. In his youth he was an accomplished rock climber, and he continued scrambling in the Lake District well into later life. He had a real empathy with the high places, was well read in mountain literature and knew the Lake District intimately. He and I completed the "Welsh 3s" (all the mountains over 3,000ft in Snowdonia in 24 hours) in June 1990, Mike leading impeccably all the way. He had also walked and climbed in Yosemite and Yellowstone in the US.Mountain climbing and fell walking were great passions in Mike's life. In his youth he was an accomplished rock climber, and he continued scrambling in the Lake District well into later life. He had a real empathy with the high places, was well read in mountain literature and knew the Lake District intimately. He and I completed the "Welsh 3s" (all the mountains over 3,000ft in Snowdonia in 24 hours) in June 1990, Mike leading impeccably all the way. He had also walked and climbed in Yosemite and Yellowstone in the US.
Mike was a talented painter, especially of mountain scenery. It gave him great pleasure that two of his paintings were selected for exhibition at Stockport Art Gallery earlier this year.Mike was a talented painter, especially of mountain scenery. It gave him great pleasure that two of his paintings were selected for exhibition at Stockport Art Gallery earlier this year.
Mike was knowledgable across many fields, including history and religion. He was gregarious and a good conversationalist, with a love of good pubs, good food and the company of old friends. A kind, conscientious and warm man, he contributed much to the lives of those around him and to wider society.Mike was knowledgable across many fields, including history and religion. He was gregarious and a good conversationalist, with a love of good pubs, good food and the company of old friends. A kind, conscientious and warm man, he contributed much to the lives of those around him and to wider society.
Above all, he was a loving family man, and he and Penny, whom he married in 1973, were proud of the achievements of their sons, Ben, Chris and Matt. The birth of his first grandchild, Ivy, in 2012 gave him great joy.Above all, he was a loving family man, and he and Penny, whom he married in 1973, were proud of the achievements of their sons, Ben, Chris and Matt. The birth of his first grandchild, Ivy, in 2012 gave him great joy.
He is survived by Penny, his sons and his granddaughter.He is survived by Penny, his sons and his granddaughter.
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