Raymond Barry King
Raymond Barry King
Vascular Surgeon
30 July 1935 - 23 March 2017
Barry King graduated MB BS from Melbourne University in 1958. After initial postgraduate training at Prince Henry's Hospital and the Repatriation Gen Hospital he went to England in 1966 and gained his FRCS. From 1966 until 1968 he worked with Peter Martin, first at Chelmsford and then at the Hammersmith Hospital. He returned to Australia in 1967 a well-trained general and vascular surgeon. He immediately obtained his FRACS and was appointed to Prince Henry's Hospital and the Western Hospital in Footscray where he established the vascular unit.
A foundation member of the RACS Section of Vascular Surgery, he became Secretary and then President of its successor, The Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (1995-97). He subsequently became vice president of the International Society of Vascular Surgery. He served on training and examining bodies of the RACS while an active surgeon and on retirement he served on the Heritage and Archives committee. He enjoyed showing visitors around the college treasures to which he donated several significant historical books.
Barry's initial enthusiasm for vascular surgery obtained under Stan Reid at Prince Henry's Hospital continued throughout his surgical career. Like most vascular surgeons in the 1960s he initially worked as a general and vascular surgeon but soon worked solely as a vascular surgeon. Barry was able to engender enthusiasm in his colleagues. The famous "Mai Tai" tour of a group of young vascular surgeons to see specialist vascular surgeons in the United States of America stimulated the camaraderie among the vascular surgeons from all Australian states and this has endured. Barry's enthusiasm was also evident in the various RACS committees on which he served.
Barry was born in Williamstown in Melbourne's west and was always a "son of the west". His appointment as a consultant to the Western Hospital, Footscray meant that he was able to serve the population in the western suburbs, which he did with distinction. Apart from generating a vibrant vascular surgical service, he served as Chairman of the senior medical staff, Chairman of the division of surgery, and Clinical Dean, Monash Medical School at Western Hospital. Apart from his administrative work, Barry was known internationally for his pioneering work on peri malleolar bypasses in diabetic patients. He presented this work at an international conference in Amsterdam in 1991 and then gave an update on his follow-up at a second international conference in Kyoto in 1995.
Always an avid Bulldogs (AFL) supporter, it was a great joy to him to see his team win a premiership after 50 years. The Grand Final, which Barry attended, occurred only a few months before he died. Barry was the ideal doctor with strong empathy with his patients. He always was always great company with his friends. He was a wonderful family man. His devotion to Lesley was well-known as was his love for Carolyn and Richard and their children. Our sympathies go to them all.
This obituary has been kindly provided by Professor John Royle.