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Emeritus Consultants Biographies
Harry Reef was born in Wepener, South Africa in July 1921 the son of Lithuanian migrants. His early education was at Grey College, Bloemfontein where he was enrolled as a boarder. He then went to Witwatersrand University to study medicine graduating MB BS in 1942. Harry spent some time in general practice before going to England in 1951 with his wife Dorothy and young daughter to study neurology. He returned to South Africa in 1957 because of his father's failing sight and to take an appointment at Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg where he set up a department of neurology. In 1969 he was invited to become the chief neurologist at Witwatersrand Medical School with the appointment as Professor of Neurology. In 1986 Professor Reed and his family moved to Perth. His elder daughter and her family were already living here. In Perth he joined the Royal Perth Hospital and the Medical School as an Honorary Consultant Neurologist. He was a very able teacher and in South Africa was awarded the Phillip Tobias Medal for Distinguished Teaching. He was also awarded the Mandela Medal and honoured by such organizations as the Epileptic Society, the Neuro-Psychological Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Association. In South Africa he had the distinction of being the only doctor dismissed by the Transvaal Boxing Association for repeatedly classifying boxers as unfit. Outside of medicine Harry Reef was interested in philately, classical music, Bridge and was a member of a number of wine clubs. Harry Reef retired early in 2003 and was appointed Emeritus Consultant Neurologist. He died in December 2004. |
