We became
friends during the clinical years at GRI and shared transport from
Pollokshields, also with Jane, to there and various clinics.
We were
co-residents with Prof McGirr.
I
remember hectic receiving days and
occasional frantic messages from Fraser
at the Gatehouse about what to do with the patient who was coming up to the
ward. Mostly he was right!
He was a
quiet and conscientious colleague but had a great sense of humour which would suddenly surface when you least
expected .
I was
honoured to be best man when he and Jane were married. By that time I was
anaesthetising at GRI and Fraser had
crossed the city to cardiology at the Western. A busy time professionally for
all and we lost touch after he and Jane
emigrated to the States in 1978.
I heard of
his death some time ago, and wondered what had happened to my old friend?
It took a
surprisingly short time on-line to obtain a superb obituary from the
Chicago Tribune.
Fraser died
at home on 11th September 2002 from prostate cancer, aged 60.He had been able to practice up to six
weeks prior to then despite failing health.
His intense
interest was preventive cardiology, founding a very successful clinic for this
at Loyola University Medical Centre. He was a pioneer in cholesterol
metabolism.
A colleague
said, “He treated partners and staff
with kindness and respect, had an amazing ability to joke around when everyone
else was pulling their hair out. We learned to appreciate new words, such as
lads, lasses and wee bit.”
His nurse
commented, “He was a brilliant physician, who despite all his many accomplishments and achievements, was the
kindest, most thoughtful and unassuming man you could ever hope to meet.
He was a
true friend to many of his patients and typically gave his home number to patients with the greatest
need and on occasion financial assistance when a patient was in a difficult situation.”
“He had a
lovely family that brought joy into his life every day. He was so proud of them
his eyes just lit up whenever he spoke of them.” she said.
He and Jane
had three daughters - Gillian, Gail and Valerie.
Jane tells
me they had a super marriage and Fraser spoiled his daughters totally.
To
those us who knew Fraser, this appreciation comes as no surprise. Many
would aspire to such praise but not all achieve it - clearly Fraser richly
deserved it.
He was a
thorough gentleman and I would have enjoyed reminiscing with him at Dunblane.
