Alan William McArthur died recently in Dunedin at the age of 83. He was born in Invercargill, and was educated at Winton Primary School, and Southland Boys High School where he was a member of the cricket first eleven.

He graduated from the School of Pharmacy in Wellington as a pharmacist in 1940, and spent the war years in the Medical Division of the Air Force, being amongst the last to be evacuated from Singapore. On discharge, he entered medical school, graduating in 1950. Two years as a house surgeon at Dunedin were followed by four years in general practice.

He then became a registrar in diagnostic radiology at Dunedin, training under Dr AC Begg. In 1960, he became Radiologist at Rotorua Hospital, spending three years in this position. A four-year term at Kew Hospital, Invercargill, followed this.

In 1967, he began training in radiotherapy at Wakari Hospital, qualifying despite many difficulties. During this period, he also carried out regular sessions in diagnostic radiology at Gore, Balclutha, Ranfurly and Oamaru, sometimes with visits to Clyde and Timaru. At this time he travelled at least 50 000 km a year. While at Wakiri he worked on the development of an early prototype isotope scanner with the hospital physicist, Hugh Jamieson. He became widely known and appreciated for his compassion and care of patients.

Later, he spent two years in the A&E Department at Dunedin and completed the Diploma in Clinical Pharmacology. Alan was appointed Director of the Nuclear Medicine Department. This was a fruitful period of development in the specialty and he visited overseas departments widely, introducing best modern practice to his own department.

He retired in 1985 and continued locum work in both New Zealand and Australia, travelling whenever the opportunity presented. He continued part time at both Gore and Dunedin Radiology Departments.

Alan had a passionate interest in medicine typified by his desire to help his patients. He was always ready to go the extra mile to ensure that, where necessary, his diagnostic findings were followed up by the appropriate specialty. He was a generous and gracious colleague willing at any time to help out. His ability to cope with enormous workloads was legendary. He was a great correspondent, keeping in touch regularly with his many friends. He worked until ill health made this impossible, enduring a long, terminal illness with humility. He is survived by his wife, Oi, and four children.