Stephen Karran was a consultant general surgeon and a senior lecturer at the University of Southampton. He was born in Berriew, Montgomeryshire, Wales. His father, John Denbigh Karran, was a banker, and his mother, Constance Henriette Karran née Tilsley, a nurse based at St Mary’s Hospital, London. His early life was spent in London, but he was evacuated to Berriew with his brother for most of the Second World War, during which time he lived with his grandparents. On returning to London after the war, he contracted tuberculosis and was treated by the eminent surgeon Arthur Dickson Wright at St Mary’s, where his mother was a nurse. This experience was the catalyst which inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. He went to Mill Hill School in London and then to Selwyn College, Cambridge, subsequently qualifying in medicine at St Mary’s Hospital, London. His early surgical training took place in London, following which he was appointed as a senior registrar in Cardiff, where Leslie Hughes was his predominant mentor. At an early stage in his career he decided to pursue an academic career and even as a senior registrar published papers related to sepsis and nutrition Southampton was a relatively new medical school when he applied for and was successful in obtaining a senior lecturer post in Sir James Fraser’s department. The department was initially based at the Royal South Hants Hospital, but eventually transferred to Southampton General Hospital. On Sir James’ retirement, Irving Taylor was appointed. Steve and Irving enjoyed an excellent professional relationship with several collaborative projects. Steve successfully built up a general surgical practice whilst enhancing his academic profile. In addition to furthering his research interests, he maintained an active interest in undergraduate education. He was a popular teacher and became an undergraduate tutor. The Southampton curriculum included student projects in the fourth year and Steve regularly supervised up to six students each year; many of the projects resulted in publication in peer review journals as well as presentations at national surgical meetings. Steve’s research in antibiotic prophylaxis and nutritional support following major gastrointestinal surgery resulted in over 60 publications. He was a regular invited speaker at numerous national and international conferences, and supervised numerous research fellows in these fields and many achieved higher degrees by thesis. He was always highly supportive of his junior colleagues and traditionally reviewed their manuscripts with them over dinner in his house in Romsey. Steve was never one to shirk his responsibility when he recognised a deviation or lapse in the conduct of clinical trials, which occasionally brought him into conflict with colleagues. He was a man of high morals and became a longstanding member of the hospital ethics committee. Outside medicine his main pastime revolved around music. He was a chorister as a young man and an accomplished baritone with the Philharmonia Choir and Chorus. He started the Cardiff hospital choir and managed the Lower Machen Festival in the early 1970s. He was an accomplished musician and conductor with an immense knowledge of opera. Steve was also invited to conduct the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Bournemouth Chamber orchestra. He enjoyed singing immensely and his operatic prowess was occasionally appreciated by staff in the operating theatre. Steve was married to Susan, and they enjoyed a long, happy and fruitful family life together. Sue was a constant support and even assisted with his clinical research and data collection. They had three children, Graham, Alison and Ian, and five grandchildren, Jack, Samantha, Imogene, Charlotte and Dominic. Steve died at home on 5 May 2021 in Romsey, Hampshire. He was 82.