Alfred Rombout

Dear Tracee,

I just learned that Alf passed away 3 days ago when I called Susan and Sophie in England for Sophies birthday (Jan 11th). 12 years ago you and Alf were with us for our wedding and after you returned from your tour with the VW (remember how slow it was) you were back to help Sophie into this world – many good memories come along when I/we think about that time (Wales, the house near Lancaster-, Alfs furniture building skills – still got the tools! ). As you know Susan and Sophie live in England now. I am still in Germany, living just meters away form the obstetric ward that you will remember. Its actually as cold and snowy now as it was back then. I knew from Susan that you found a place in Australia and I knew about your two girls. Eyerything I read about your work just sounds like both your dreams came true. I read all the messages on this site and saw all the pictures, there is not much I could add and my english got a bit rusty as well – We remembered your Royal Enfield on one of the pictures and how Alf was excited about buying one in India. We just wanted to let you know that our thougths are with you and your two beautiful girls. 

Take care! 

Susan and Harald

Alf was just one of those people who impacted greatly on all who met him, he issued supercharged positive vibes and got one thinking. An excellent medico, a committed and passionate family man, an adventurous larrikin and a top bloke. He will truly be rememberd as an “Islander” for ever.

Travel well Alf

Michael,Jan,Tim Sarah and Patrick

Alf I was so fortunate to have you as a GP whilst I lived on the Island. You were the most caring, thorough and direct GP I have ever been to. You will be greatly missed on the Island by everyone and especially your family , friends and patients.

Rest in peace Alf . Love and thoughts to Tracee and girls

Meredith Griggs

I started and didn’t get to sign off “Thank you to Alf and Tracee”.

To all of the family we extend our heartfelt sympathy, we feel honoured to have shared in his life and yours.

Talina and Winston Vizard

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.

I went to Kangaroo Island to work at the Kangaroo Island Medical Clinic in July 2005. I was still to finish my final term in GP training. Even though I had only travelled from Victor Harbor, it was still very scary going to K.I. to work, as it was “Remote”, and quite frankly, I was terrified. I had heard of all the stories of bad accidents and wondered how I would ever cope “on call”.

Then there was Alf. My first night on call, there he was at the hospital to meet me, “just to run a few things by you, and if you need any help, please call me”. I already knew at this time that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and the last thing I wanted to do was take up his time, but there he was, helping me to make sure my on call went smoothly.

I cannot count the number of times he came to my rescue and helped me out over the next 2 years that I was on the Island, always with that wonderful reassuring smile and tilt of the head, that silently said, “this will be OK, we’ll sort it out”, and he would calmly and expertly help me, and in an unassuming way, teach me, because thats what Alf did, effortlessly.

Alf was an amazing man, not only a talented and gifted doctor, he could turn his hand to anything, fix things, build things, grow trees, cook, and most of all he was our friend and we loved him.

We cannot even begin to imagine the enormous loss to Tracee, Mia and Delphi, Alf’s family and Tracee’s family.

Alf touched us all, we will miss him always,

Vale Alf

Love from Mary and Colin Liston

Alf, it was a privilege to have worked with you, and to have been a close trusted friend, thank you for sharing your life with me. I laughed with you, learned from you, leaned on you, and loved you.

I will miss you my friend.

Carys

My friend Alf died Wednesday the 8th October 2008.

He will be deeply missed by many people.

Please leave a message, story or photo in his memory.

Dave