Edward (‘Ted’) Watson was a general surgeon at Wellington Hospital, New Zealand. He was born in Dunedin, the eldest child of Vera Christian Watson née Cameron and Edward Baden Watson; his father was a surgeon, his mother a music teacher. He had two siblings – Arthur and Diane. Ted’s childhood years were spent in Ranfurly in central Otago and later at Pahiatua (north Wairarapa), where he finished his primary school education. Secondary schooling was as a boarder at Wanganui Collegiate School, where he enjoyed sport, particularly tennis, boxing and rugby. Ted entered Otago Medical School in 1946, securing one of the 30 places held for school leavers (returning servicemen were given preference). A long-time resident of Selwyn College, he was awarded varsity blues for boxing and tennis, and represented the university at rugby. After completing his MB ChB in 1952, Ted moved to Palmerston North as a house surgeon, where, in his words, he met the ‘cool and beautiful’ nurse, Margaret Black. They married in January 1955 and within a couple of months left for the UK. Ted began his surgical training in Edinburgh, starting with plastic surgery at Bangour Hospital. There he was introduced to the latest techniques of burns management acquired during the war. Successfully gaining his fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1956, Ted and Margaret went to the south east where, during the next three and a half years, Ted gained experience working in Farnborough Hospital, Kent and at Charing Cross and St Mark’s hospitals in London. During this period, he gained experience in colorectal disease and worked with William Gabriel, Hugh Lockhart-Mummery, Clifford Naunton Morgan and O V Lloyd-Davies. Living in London, Margaret and Ted welcomed the arrival of three children – Martine, Michele and Kristin – and Ted gained his fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. Ted, Margaret and their family returned to New Zealand in 1960, when Ted commenced work at Wellington Hospital and quickly gained his FRACS. His youngest children, Shona and Edward, completed the family. Ted worked first as a surgical tutor from 1960 to 1961 and then as a senior admitting and casualty medical officer during 1962. In 1963 Ted was appointed as a visiting general surgeon at Wellington Hospital, an appointment he held for nearly 30 years until his retirement in 1992. A skilled and compassionate surgeon with a strong work ethic, Ted was highly regarded by his patients. He also very much enjoyed his teaching responsibilities with his house surgeons and registrars. They appreciated coming into his home for a Sunday night meal with the family. He also had a busy private practice, operating at Calvary (later to become Wakefield) and Bowen hospitals, as well as periods with the Home of Compassion and Kenepuru Hospital in Porirua. He was an active contributor within Wellington Hospital, serving as chair of the Wellington senior staff committee and also the Combined Wellington Hospitals committee. Soon after his return to New Zealand Ted became involved in activities on behalf of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, serving as the national coordinator for surgical supervisors for six years, member and chair of the New Zealand committee, examining in general surgery for six years and then chairing the New Zealand section of the court of examiners for six years. He was elected to the Medical Council of New Zealand, also serving six years. He served terms as an executive member and chair of the Wellington division of the Cancer Society and in various governance roles within district health boards, then known as CHEs (crown health enterprises). Ted believed that with his busy life he needed to be physically fit, a practice he adhered to all his life, playing competitive tennis and squash, cycling, regularly attending the gym and bush walking with similarly fit friends. Ted was one of the first Wellington adopters of the electric bike, spending happy hours well into his late eighties riding around Wellington’s bays and out to the Hutt Valley. His active lifestyle was the subject of a 2015 Radio New Zealand documentary which explored his love of his electric bike. Ted was devoted to Margaret and their children. While there were legendary family holidays spent around New Zealand, the family holiday home at Kuratau, Lake Taupo always held a special place for him. He loved the lake and its myriad of picnic areas, was a keen fly fisherman, and enjoyed boating and towing skiers. Surrounded by his family, he was happiest entertaining a close group of friends and their families. He took a great interest in the progress of this special place and never missed an AGM of the Omori Kuratau Ratepayers Association. Ted died on 30 October 2017 aged 89 and is greatly missed by Margaret, their five children, 12 grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.