Geoffrey James Coldham
Geoffrey James Coldham FRACS
24 December 1964 - 21 July 2015
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Geoffrey James Coldham was born at Motuatua Hospital in Apia, Western Samoa on Christmas Eve 1964, the youngest child of Richard and Mary Coldham with a brother, David, and sisters, Denise and Marianne. His father was Principal of Samoa College and his mother a general practitioner. The family returned to New Zealand to live in Wellington when Geoff was three, by which time he was a beach and water-loving blond. Geoff commenced school at Ngaio Primary School, then went on to Raroa Intermediate and Wellington College where he was Deputy Head Boy in his final year. He enjoyed school and particularly sport which included athletics, badminton and golf and saw his selection into the College hockey 1stXI as a 3rdformer and the cricket 1stXI. He later represented Auckland and played hockey for the NZ University Team in Australia.
Geoff's parents moved to Auckland in 1983 and he commenced a BSc in marine biology at the University of Auckand. During the first year he applied for and was accepted into Auckland Medical School. Classmates recall Geoff attending classes, where with an amazing memory he would sit and listen to a lecture, absorb and remember it all. A 3 month intern elective was spent in Vancouver - fitting in some orthopaedics at Vancouver General Hospital and rural based medicine in a small settlement in Sechelt around a hectic skiing and social schedule. Geoff had met Diana Gunn, a registered nurse, at a memorable med school party, and she travelled to join Geoff at the end of his elective. After travels through Canada they returned home, and Geoff immediately proposed to Di, formalising what would become a very strong and everlasting relationship with 25 subsequent wonderful years of marriage and devotion.
Geoff completed his house surgeon years in Hamilton and Auckland, during which he decided to apply for the orthopaedic training scheme, and being accepted in 1993. Commencing training in Wellington Geoff enjoyed the opportunity of a six month exchange with a post in Toronto. The final two years of training were spent in Auckland before he completed his FRACS. Following a six month sports fellowship with Stewart Walsh and Barry Tietjens, Geoff spent some time in Gisborne as a locum, appreciating the ample time available to play golf - and dropping his handicap from 8 to 1. He then took up a one year spinal fellowship in Charlotte, North Carolina with Dr Edward Hanley and Dr Mark Hartman followed by a four month fellowship with Dr Rob McBroom in Toronto and two months in Germany and Switzerland to obtain more specific spine training.
Geoff and Di returned to New Zealand in 2000 for the birth of their first child, Hunter. Their second child Madison was born 2004. On his return to Auckland Geoff proudly commenced part time employment at Middlemore Hospital alongside his mentor, Garnet Tregonning, and in private practice he was encouraged to share consulting rooms with Peter Robertson. Spinal surgery was Geoff's passion and he was well suited to it. Geoff had great empathy for the patients of South Auckland. This along with his enthusiasm, organisational skills, attention to detail, and sharp intellect combined with the coordination and great hands one would expect from a skilled sportsman meant he was truly the complete surgeon. Geoff was a leader, not just by example, but also by being very inclusive, engendering great loyalty and becoming a vital part of everyone's life.
Like others in his family, Geoff was an educator whether it was medical students, junior doctors, or registrars; everything was interactive, questions, answers and discussions. He was a keen member of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association Education Committee and heavily involved in the selection and nurturing of younger surgical talent. He was a mentor and role model for many surgical trainees and it seemed for a while that everyone who worked at Middlemore Hospital with the Geoff Coldham/Tom Geddes team wanted a career in spine surgery. As a consequence there is a generation of gifted young spinal surgeons on the back of Geoff's leadership.
Geoff was a foundation member of the NZ Spine Society filling the role of Secretary. He subsequently became President, Past President and then, after a brief break, Secretary once more. It did not matter what role he had, he just did the same thing and that was everything. He was a master of organisation - requests for help were often accompanied by step-by-step instructions as to how the request could best be achieved: in fact he had often organised it himself and all one had to do was check that his instructions had been carried out. In 2007 he convened the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Auckland. This was an extremely well-organised and memorable meeting.
Geoff remained a keen and competitive sportsman throughout his life sharing his love of golf and fishing. His formation of 'The Wine Club' ensured regular and often hilarious interaction with friends in the early family days. The annual golfing trips with three close friends built upon superb organisation by Geoff were characterised by intense competition for 'The Green Jacket'. Thursday night tennis with colleagues became a sporting and social event that would often last into Friday! Travel was also one of Geoff's loves and it has been suggested by those who knew him best that while he was a talented surgeon his unrealised calling was a sports tour travel agent. Research and planning were essential ingredients of every trip. With the Lonely Planet in his hand and the Tour Guide kicking in, trips included Argentina, Bolivia, Machu Picchu, Dubai, Oman, Fiji, Nepal, Italy, France, Spain, London and of course the World Rugby Cup finals - the list goes on.
Geoff loved his work, but he always put his family first. Family time was blocked off and locked in well in advance. He would however juggle and rearrange things outside those sacrosanct times to help out as much as possible, meaning he was always very busy. He was immensely proud of Hunter and Madison and their sporting achievements. Time was found to assist with coaching of hockey and cricket and support for Di as she competed in marathons and iron man events.
Two years ago the family was rocked when a lump in Geoff's left thigh was found to be an aggressive tumour. After surgery and radiotherapy, Geoff got back into everything in his usual fashion, with the expectation that the problem was solved. In September 2014, the family travelled to Europe for an awesome holiday together. It was an event that was in retrospect perfectly timed - and an everlasting memory for Di, Hunter and Madison. In January of this year the spread of the tumour became evident, and Geoff ceased work so as to give himself every chance to battle the condition and spend quality time with his family.
Geoff Coldham achieved much in a life too short, yet in that time accomplished so much more than most. He will be remembered for his practical, enthusiastic, empathetic and committed approach on so many fronts. Geoff is survived by his beloved wife and children, Di, Hunter and Madison and his brother, David, and sisters, Denise and Marianne. Di always called Geoff her 'Gentle Giant'. He touched the lives of so many and he will be fondly remembered by all.
- Each life touches this world in a way that no others can, leaving not only wonderful memories but lasting imprints in our hearts -
Allan Panting FRACS, with the assistance of Geoff's family and friends