Newspaper Article 2004 – Eye surgeon always looked for the best

Eye surgeon always looked for the best

JOHN LOUGHLIN
1930-2004

Second-best was never an option for noted Hawke’s Bay eye surgeon John Loughlin, aged 74, who died late last week.

Born in Hamilton, he was educated at Auckland Grammar before beginning a career as a chemist in Dunedin. He finished first in his pharmacy course but was several years too young to be registered.

After settling in Dunedin, he attended night school and passed University Entrance in science subjects in preparation for attending medical school.

He successfully undertook medical intermediate at Otago University, working in the night pharmacy to support his wife Audrey and young family while he studied.

He did contract cleaning at the hospital during the holidays and was admitted to medical school in the minimum time.

He did research into vascular problems towards the end of his training but later turned towards ophthalmology. After several years as Registrar he was awarded a Blind Foundation Scholarship to travel to England to train as an eye specialist. He later returned to his family in New Zealand and moved to Hawke’s Bay in the late 1960s, where he practised until recently. After a medical career, spanning more than 40 years, he was made a life member of the Medical Defence Insurers.

In 1970 he bought land in Havelock North and established a successful boysenberry and citrus orchard, but later converted it to grapes, producing award-winning red wines as Waimarama Estate Winery.

His studious, perfectionist approach to the wine industry was identical to his medical career. He devoured every book on wines and viticulture he could obtain and astounded the wine industry when he won Air New Zealand Wine Show awards with his first vintage.

Mr Loughlin later sold his winery to Japanese interests. Its wines are sold under the Chateau Waimarama label.

In his youth Mr Loughlin took part in swimming, tennis and soccer and in later years was a member of the Hawke’s Bay Claybird Shooting Club.

He is a former president of the Napier Lions Club and a member of the Havelock North Rotary Club. He was also involved in the establishment of the Hawke’s Bay Trust for the Elderly.

He is survived by his wife Audrey, and children John, Alyson and Peter. He was predeceased by another daughter, Anne.

Photo caption – PERFECTIONIST: John Loughlin