Newspaper Article 2006 – Physician battled hard to rid Bay of disease

Physician battled hard to rid Bay of disease

DR ALEXANDER VINCENT KURTA
1924-2006

Obituary

Born and educated in New Plymouth, Alex Kurta qualified in medicine at Otago University. He spent his house surgeon years in Wellington, Christchurch and Gisborne, and left on the last coal-burning steamer for England in 1953, later joined there by his fiancée, Laura. He trained at east London’s Whipps Cross Hospital, and in Edinburgh and gained his Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, later being elected a Fellow. The first of their children was born in London.

Dr Kurta returned to New Zealand in 1959 and took up the post of visiting physician, specialising in respiratory medicine. At the time tuberculosis was common and his expertise in battling this disease throughout Hawke’s Bay was welcomed.

Dr Kurta served as physician to the Little Sisters of the Poor Holy Family Home and to Woodford House. He was an enthusiastic teacher and often gave lectures to student nurses training at Hastings Hospital, and was fully involved in the education of young doctors.

Dr Kurta was never much given to high technology or medical gimmickry, but had been well trained in the traditional arts of history-taking and careful physical examination, which he combined with shrewd clinical judgement and a very humane and caring approach which made him well loved by his patients, and won the respect and affection of his colleagues.

He was an avid collector of art and of antique wine glasses, amassing a large number of items, many more than 200 years old. He had a keen interest in history and a quirky attachment to topiary.

Dr Kurta was a fine physician and will be sadly missed by his patients, colleagues and many friends. He is survived by his wife, Laura, their six children and 14 grandchildren.