Honoring the Life and Legacy of Mr. Leslie Snape (Les) BDS MBChB FRACDS FFDRCS FRCS (Ed) FRCS (Eng)

Article from New Zealand

Vale: Mr Leslie Snape (Les) BDS MBChB FRACDS FFDRCS FRCS (Ed) FRCS (Eng)

Les passed away peacefully on 1 January 2026.

He was a pioneering Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, educator, and leader whose influence on the specialty in New Zealand, Australia, and internationally was both profound and enduring.

He arrived  in New Zealand in 1978 with the plan of staying just 18 months to get experienced in allied surgical specialities before returning to a training programme with Professor Obwegeser in Zurich. However, he fell in love with New Zealand and decided to stay. After 4 years of higher training back in the UK where he had obtained the Edinburgh and Irish surgical fellowships, he returned to New Zealand in 1987 as one of the first dually qualified and surgically trained maxillofacial surgeons in Australasia. From the outset, Les played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the specialty.

Through his work with Christchurch Hospital, the University of Otago, government bodies, AO, professional associations, and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Les was instrumental in advancing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from its narrow dental origins to a fully recognised surgical specialty, equal in standing to other major surgical disciplines. His leadership and advocacy significantly elevated the profile and credibility of the specialty both regionally and internationally.

Education and training lay at the heart of Les’s professional life. He became an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in 1992 and served on its examinations committee for the next decade. From 1998, he examined the Final Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for 13 years, chairing the panel from 2002. He also chaired the Education and Examination Committees, served on the Advanced Surgical Training Committee, and was an elected member of the Board of Studies from 2003 to 2013. Through his work on the Curriculum Implementation Group, Les played a central role in establishing a formal, comprehensive training framework that continues to underpin specialist training today.

In New Zealand, Les served as Director of the national training programme from 1999 to 2011 and chaired the Regional Surgical Committee from 2000 to 2009. His professional service extended to the Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, where he served as New Zealand Councillor from 1995 to 2003, Vice-President in 2009, and President from 2011 to 2013. He also represented the region internationally as a Councillor with the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons from 2011 to 2013. He was Treasurer of the New Zealand branch of ANZAOMS until Dec 2025, co-organising the last 4 national conferences down in Queenstown.  For him the Queenstown meetings were as much about collegiality as they were about their high academic content. 

Through his involvement with AO, including service as a Director on the Board of Trustees for AO Oceania, Les helped establish some of the first craniomaxillofacial trauma courses in Australasia. These courses introduced a structured, multidisciplinary approach to facial trauma management and craniofacial reconstruction, influencing practice across the breadth of the specialty. In later years, Les generously contributed his expertise to voluntary surgical and teaching projects in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Nepal.

Les was widely admired for his compassion for patients and his unwavering commitment to teaching. A tireless advocate for trainees, he consistently fought for improved training conditions and educational opportunities. To many, he was a mentor, trusted advisor, colleague, and friend. His encyclopaedic knowledge of policy, procedure, and professional history enabled him to provide wise counsel over many years. It is a fitting tribute that an eponymous trainee award for best presentation bears his name.

In recognition of his extraordinary service and leadership, Les was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. His legacy endures through the surgeons he trained, the institutions he strengthened, and the specialty he helped shape with vision, integrity, and compassion.

Beyond his professional achievements, Les was a devoted family man. His wife Ruth, herself an internationally recognised haematologist, was frequently by his side and a familiar presence at Association functions. He was immensely proud of his children, Phil and Michelle, and his two grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to talk about them.

Les was always great company, and it was a joy to spend time with him at meetings and events. With a characteristic twinkle in his eye, he would recount stories in his hallmark understated and hilarious way. Many senior colleagues will fondly recall his love of pantomime, memorably serenading colleagues while fetchingly dressed at an ANZAOMS conference.

Les Snape will be remembered with great respect, affection, and gratitude by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His professional legacy and personal kindness leave an indelible mark on the specialty he so passionately served.

Details of the celebration service and the live streaming link plus how to make donations in lieu of flowers to his favourite charity, Future Faces can be found at https://deaths.press.co.nz/nz/obituaries/the-press-nz/name/les-snape-obituary?id=60431572

Messages may be addressed to: The Snape family, c/- PO Box 26051, North Avon, Christchurch 8148.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Les' honour would be appreciated and may be made to Future Faces: The future of Cleft and Craniomaxillofacial Care at https://www.futurefaces.org.uk/donate/

A funeral service to celebrate Les' life will be held at the Transitional Cathedral, Cnr Madras and Hereford Streets, Christchurch, on Friday, January 9 at 11.30am, followed by a private cremation. Livestream will be available at www.youtube.com/live/oDo5cdOqWqM with a photo tribute for the first 15 minutes from 11.15am and the service starting at 11.30am NZDT. For those unable to make this time, the recording will be available online afterwards.