Professor John Hogg was ‘‘a gentleman beyond all description,’’ whose generosity to the community and medicine was immeasurable.
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One of the Illawarra’s most respected doctors, Prof Hogg died yesterday following a short illness.
A renowned vascular and general surgeon, Prof Hogg touched the lives of countless patients across the region and beyond and his loss has been felt deeply in the medical community.
Prof Hogg and wife Linda, a physiotherapist, moved to the Illawarra in the late 70s, raising their four children in the region.
The couple were in Bali at the time of the 2002 terrorist bombings and chose to abandon their holiday to instead help treat the horrific injuries of the Australian victims.
For their work in Bali both were awarded Order of Australia Medals, while Prof Hogg was also named Wollongong Citizen of the Year in January 2003.
He joined the University of Wollongong in 2004 as Foundation Dean of the Medical School, working closely with Professors Don Iverson and Lori Lockyer to develop the school’s innovative curriculum and unique community-based model.
Prof Iverson said the school would not exist today had it not been for the work of Prof Hogg.
After 35 years practicing medicine, Prof Hogg gave up his career to join academia and the push for a medical school in Wollongong.
He managed to get the medical community’s backing for the school through dogged campaigning and by travelling through regional NSW meeting and working with doctors.
‘‘The legacy that he leaves behind is that all these future doctors that come out of here are here because of John Hogg,’’ Prof Iverson said.
‘‘I think I’ll remember him as a person that always had a smile on his face, always engaging with everybody, never having a bad word to say.
‘‘He lived life to the fullest, he loved people, he loved his family.
‘‘People who are fortunate to know him are blessed,’’ he said.
Retired paediatrician Dr Allen James yesterday paid tribute to his friend and praised his many achievements.
‘‘He was an outstanding person, in a crowd he stood out...just such a delightful guy really,’’ h said.
Prof Hogg is survived by wife Linda, children Genevieve, Sophie, James and Katie and his grandchildren.
