Ralph Kirsch

Abstract

Ralph Kirsch was an exceptionally able physician, clinical investigator and teacher, as well as a mentor to many undergraduate and postgraduate students. One of us (SS) knew him as a student, as a research fellow and as a medical registrar, and the other (JT) was one of his rugby coaches in his student days at UCT. Both of us knew him well as a physician, and latterly as professor of medicine and as head of the department of medicine. He was also the caring and always available personal physician to members of our families over many years. Ralph was truly a doctor’s doctor.