Eric died on 26 August 2002 after a long and debilitating illness. Over his working life he made a great contribution to diagnostic radiology in Christchurch.

He was born in Naseby on 24 March 1920, and boarded at Waitaki Boys High School for his secondary education. After graduating in Medicine at Otago University Medical School, he joined the army Medical Corps and served in Egypt, the Middle East, Italy and then Japan.

Demobilised, he married Esther, decided on Radiology and became a registrar at Hutt Hospital. After qualification, he was approached by St George’s Hospital in Christchurch, at the prompting of Dr Oscar Moller, and invited to become radiologist there. Eric accepted, and moved to Christchurch in 1951.

This was the beginning of quality private radiology in the city. Soon Dr William Bates at Lewisham wished to retire and Eric was asked to take over that practice. With his arrival at St George’s the practice there had become busier, so Eric decided to seek a partner to share the work at the two hospitals. He approached Basil de Lambert, then working with George Rolleston at the Christchurch Hospital; de Lambert was interested but was committed to giving notice and also he had been awarded the travelling Baker Fellowship and was not available for eighteen months. So Graeme Anderson was invited to join when available. The partnership was formed in May 1953 but did not become active until June 1954, with Eric at St George’s and Graeme Anderson at Lewisham. With the return of de Lambert later in the year, it was decided to open an office practice as well – the start of 211 Gloucester Street.

The following year, de Lambert left to return to public hospital practice in Dunedin. He was replaced by Guy Beetham.

Eric was determined to build the partnership and insisted on high standards; his partnership agreement included a stipulation of six months study leave every five years. There was close cooperation with George Rolleston and the Public Hospital full-time staff – a weekly lunchtime meeting built up understanding between the two groups.

As Christchurch Hospital workload increased, George Rolleston was forced to abandon his principle of “geographic full-time” and part-time positions became available. This allowed the private practice to offer Christchurch-trained radiologists a satisfactory economic package – shared partnership of all income both private and hospital (derived from part-time positions), ensuring that our best graduates stayed in Christchurch. The Christchurch Radiology Group evolved later.

In 1956, Eric received a Fullbright Award and spent much of the year in Boston at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, forming contacts with eminent American radiologists who subsequently came to New Zealand on visiting professorships.

Eric was uncompromisingly honest and equally intolerant of anything devious. His technique for problem-solving usually worked – take some action, it’s better to be wrong than dither. And Eric never dithered.

Beneath an often brusque exterior Eric was kind, generous and caring. He was an outdoor man, keen cricketer, skier, devoted duck-shooter, and regular golfer.

That made his last years so sad to watch, and so difficult for him to bear .His courage and tolerance of his handicap, which I thought an unendurable burden, in a man so positive and active, was humbling.

Radiology in Christchurch owes a lot to Eric. Single-handedly he changed the presentation of diagnostic services with a work ethic of service, dedication and quality, and especially in creating a close relationship, and respect, between hospital- based and private diagnostic practice. His life did make a difference.

Esther his wife, and their children Ann, Rob, Jo and Biddy survive him.