Raymond Seidler – an obituary
Raymond Seidler was born on 6 March 1952 and passed away on 25 July 2013.
He worked in Sydney’s Kings Cross as a GP for over 30 years, dedicating every day to his patients, whether they were homeless or drug addicted, flight attendants or backpackers, bankers or international movie stars. Each got the same amount of time and care.
Raymond was a specialist in drug and alcohol treatment, he treated impaired colleagues, he had an interest in geriatric care and also in travel medicine. Basically he was interested in everything and everyone- in life in all its forms and what it had to offer. He was erudite and charming, funny and likeable, intelligent and humane.
He taught others how to become good doctors- that humour is an integral part of communication. They observed him share jokes, mimic accents and always listen to his patients with a sparkle in his eyes. He taught them and his children not to be prejudiced and to always treat people equally, because unlike George Orwell’s characters where” some pigs are created more equal than others”, in the real world all people are in fact equal.
He also found time to give inspiring and entertaining speeches to a variety of public organisations, big businesses and other health professionals. He wrote both in the medical press and the general media and was a social commentator extraordinaire.
In recognition of his dedication to his patients, St Vincent’s Hospital is naming a clinic after Raymond that will address the wider health of people with addiction problems.
On 30 August a public Memorial was attended by over 500 people and the Raymond Seidler fund was established to continue his legacy with assisting the underprivileged. Donations can be made via the link below – Please state the donation is for the purpose of the Raymond Seidler Fund
http://www.stvincents.com.au/assets/files/pdf/A/In%20memory%20form_Jun2013.pdf
He is loved and missed by many friends and colleagues and survived by his wife Debbie and their four children.
I worked for Dr Seidler during the late 1990s as receptionist and assisted in the running of his practice at Kings Cross. He was a demanding task master due to his boundless energy but he was also an inspirational boss to have as his focus was so intense and his standards so high. He was funny and curious and a character larger than life. It was one of the more challenging roles I’ve had and i learned a lot from him. Sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family.
I sadly found out today that Dr Raymond Seidler passed away. I found this out from the Compass program on the abc. I listened how his son Zac spoke and it reminded me of his father and how he sat across from me at the methadone clinic in Redfern in the 1990s. He was my doctor for about 5 years. after over 25 years of drug abuse and 7 years on the methadone program I am grateful and happy to share I am 16years clean and sober. Dr Seidler was a big part of me continuing to try and get clean. He gave his time and advice with a smile on his face, nothing was too much trouble. He supported me in trying to get better housing and wrote many letters on my behalf (which I still have) his writing was original as he was. I am really sad to hear about his passing and the way he passed. I am a fellow sufferer of depression and most people wouldn’t know it. Since being clean and sober I have been to university and finished my degree and now working on my honours thesis. Its about intergenerational abuse and parenting capacity. It’s an autoethnograghy and tells my story, and part of that is my seven years on the methadone program under the direction of Dr Seidler. He will be remembered fondly. Congratulations Zac on your good work, your father would be very proud. Jane