Harry Reed was born of Lithuanian immigrant parents in South Africa in 1921 with Afrikaans as his fist language until he entered high school where his brilliance was soon apparent. After qualifying at Witswatersrand University he entered general practice then came to the UK to pursue his interest in neurology. He toyed with the idea of remaining in England but, at the request of his ageing father, he and his family returned to South Africa and established the neurology department, exclusively for Africans, at Baragwanath Hospital. His opposition to apartheid was unwavering. He later moved to Perth, Western Australia where, from 1986, he served as honorary consultant at the Royal Perth Hospital.
A man of diverse interests as well as many talents, he was a keen philatelist, bridge player, reader and writer,lover of fine wines and, of course, an indefatigable medical thinker and researcher. He was showered with medical honours, awards for his teaching, and richly-deserved recognition of his opposition to apartheid After a 20 year-long battle with lymphoma he died on December 29, 2004.
Contributed by Dr Lynne Cohen (daughter)