I met Alf and Tracee when I came to KI to work as a locum. They welcomed me into their home and their lives. I am honoured to call them friends and to have the opportunity to love them both and share in their lives. As everyone who knew him notes, Alf was a consummate doctor, teacher, student and friend. Always straight, he would let everyone know just what he felt. His warmth and acceptance of human frailty was legend, and lives on in all of us taught and loved by him. He had a wicked sense of humour never far from the surface.
I enjoyed his eclectic taste in music whenever I stayed there. His organisational skills were inspirational to me, his office was always tidy, his photos organised and his home beautifully designed to fit not only the family but the place. He accepted his diagnosis with the most incredible grace and peace and lived his life as though the chaos around him simply didn’t exist.
He was I guess, like a duck at times, serene on the surface and paddling like mad underneath. Tracee, I salute your incredible strength to roll with the punches and focus over these last 4 years, you too are a real inspiration to all of us who love you.
Alf was a gracious host even in the last weeks of his life and I thank you both Tracee for allowing me the honour of sharing your precious time. Alf, I still remember so much of what you patiently taught me, thank you, your knowledge and love live on. To Mia and Delphi, your Daddy was a truly remarkable man who lives on in all of us but mostly in you, he was very proud of you both.