Historical Article
ACPSEM Reminiscing
1927 – 2003
(Written by Dr Richard Tremewan PhD, (then) Head, Medical Physics and Bioengineering Department, Christchurch Hospital (APESM, Vol. 26, No. 4, 2003))
Jack Tait died on 24 November 2003 just 2 days after his 76th birthday. He retired from the Chief Medical Physicist position at Christchurch Hospital in 1988, having started work at the hospital in 1956.
The mark of this very modest man was his practical skills and broad interests in physics and electronics. This was accompanied by a quiet, friendly and persistently supportive manner.
Jack was one of the pioneering Medical Physicists in New Zealand. He built up a strong independent department in Christchurch which, unlike elsewhere in New Zealand, has survived the rack of the Health Reforms of the 1990s.
Jack was founding father of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine being a signatory to the original Articles of the College that were drawn up in August 1977. He was a Fellow and Life Member of the College.
There were a number of overseas medical physics assignments for Jack including Berkeley, California (IAEA Fellowship), Bangkok (Colombo Plan) and New Dehli (AIIMS). Most notable was Jack’s “Himalayan experience” 1966-67 when he lived in a tent at 13,000 feet studying goitre among the Sherpas of Nepal. He was ably assisted by Sir Edmund Hilary and Dr K Ibbertson, an endocrinologist from Auckland.
Jack maintained a close liaison with his department after retirement. He returned to assist the commissioning of a new Oncology Service in 1989/90. Jack would often attend department seminars (he can be seen in our staff photo in the May 2003 ACPSEM NZ Branch letter). Over the past 15 years, Jack and his wife Betty hosted annual get-togethers at their Leithfield Beach home for ancient and modern medical physicists and their partners.
Jack leaves behind more than memories. A display cabinet in the Christchurch hospital is being used to show off parts of his collection of old X-ray equipment, ancient nuclear medicine items and other bits and pieces from his creative days. They are now part of the Christchurch Medical History Trust.
Professor Alun Beddoe (Editor of PMB) expresses the thoughts of all of us who have known Jack: “Jack Tait was one of the very best people Humanity has to offer. Modest almost to a fault, yet highly intelligent, a very kindly man for whom nothing was too much trouble, who showed us all the way by uncomplicated and straightforward example. Jack was a remarkable man. He was my first boss and mentor, and I owe him more than I can possibly say in mere words.”
Dr Richard Tremewan PhD, 2003
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