Dr Richard Tyler Photo: Supplied / NZ Doctor
The doctor who died after being struck by a falling tree branch on Tuesday has been remembered by his practice as a "beloved GP" and a "mentor".
Dr Richard Tyler who was a founding partner at Johnsonville Medical Centre died in high winds on Tuesday at Mount Victoria after being struck by the branch.
"It is with much sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Richard Tyler, who was lost suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday," said the medical centre in a post on social media.
"While others will rightly speak of his enormous influence on health in Wellington and nationally, we remember a beloved GP who supported generations of families in our community during his career. A mentor to GPs and other staff alike. A friend."
As a founding partner at Johnsonville Medical Centre, his commitment to his patients and the medical centre set the standard for general practice that other staff were trying to uphold.
The centre said despite retiring in 2021, Tyler remained part of its governance team right up until his death.
"His guidance and wisdom have been pivotal to where the medical centre is today," it said.
"We share our grief with Richard's family, friends, and other colleagues, and our heart goes out to you all for a man taken too soon."
In a tribute article for NZ Doctor, Martin Johnston said Tyler for many years, had been at the heart of medical and primary care governance in the capital.
Dr Tyler's roles included being chair of the Medical Assurance Society (MAS), Compass Health, the Wellington Independent Practitioners Association (WIPA) and bpac NZ, and he was involved in setting up the Wellington After Hours Medical Centre.
At MAS, he had been a director for 37 years, including 21 years as chairperson, at the time of his retirement from the organisation in 2017.
In the article another Wellington specialist GP, Richard Medlicott, said: "He was a great guy - fun to be around, smart and hard-working."
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