SAGES Magazine

THE SOUTH AFRICAN GASTROENTEROLOGY REVIEW 2022 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 2 | 42 OBITUARY Stephen Paul Grobler was born on 25 March 1958. He received his MBChB in 1981 at the University of the Free State. He did his internship in Bloemfontein and then served his compulsory national military service, whereafter he commenced his surgical journey initially as medical officer, and then registrar, receiving his MMed in Surgery with cum laude in 1990 at the University of the Free State. His sub-speciality certification in gastroenterology was achieved in 1994 and during this time he was an honorary research fellow at the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He then served as a senior specialist and lecturer at the Department of Surgery, University of the Free State, with clinical interests in laparoscopic and endosurgical techniques, coloproctology, hernia repair, and medical jurisprudence. His research interests also encompassed surgical audit and clinical guidelines, tariffs and remuneration, capitation, and alternative reimbursement methods. During the last 18 years of his life, he worked in solo private practice at Netcare Universitas Private Hospital as a specialist surgeon and gastroenterologist, all the while, maintaining a supportive link with academia. In earlier years, he played a significant leadership role on the Medical Student Representative Council and as president of the South African Medical Students’ Association from 1979 to 1981 where he was actively involved in the lobbying for rescinding of whites-only admissions to medical school, to promote social reform, community health and general social upliftment as basic health care and social necessities for all South Africans. As a member of societies both nationally and internationally, namely: SAMA, ASSA/Surgicom, SAGES, SASES, ALSGBI, SACRS, and SAPPF, he served as vice-chair of the SAMA Specialist Private Practice Committee (SPPC) and as president of SASES from 1999 to 2002. Amongst many accolades, he received a lifetime achievement award from SAMA and the prestigious Gold Service Award from SAGES in 2019. He authored a multitude of publications throughout his career with a voracity for dissemination of skill and knowledge in the field of gastroenterology. I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Grobler and can attest to his invaluable and reassuring support. Starting as a medical gastroenterologist, he was the first to extend an open-door invitation, to discuss any challenging case that I needed help with. At his funeral service, many testimonies confirmed that this generosity was extended to all. He was a true doctor and a great leader, someone who kept to his convictions and who was always willing to offer help and guidance, spanning the fields of surgical and medical gastroenterology. An avid golfer and photographer, he often spoke endearingly about his treks into the wilderness. Stephen Paul Grobler died on 18 June 2022, following a stroke. He will be remembered for his firm but gentle manner and his unyielding energy in practice for the betterment of the patient, and to many he will be missed as a protecting friend. He is survived by his wife, Ina, and his sons, Nico and Charl. May his soul rest in peace. Wayne Simmonds. Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein SimmondsWM@ufs.ac.za Stephen Paul Grobler 25 March 1958 - 18 June 2022