He was a man of actions rather than words, he inspired me and many others by what he did. He showed me the world as he saw it and gave me exciting and challenging experiences. When I was a boy he shared with me his life as a general practitioner. He even let me observe a tonsilectomey. After making sure that the patient was anesthetized, he let me in to the operating theatre to watch the operation and see the details of his work. When he took up the study of mathematics at the University as a hobby, he took me with him to the lectures. This was the seed of my life long love for mathematics. He played golf with me after school, initiated me into the world of orchid cultivation, and was always ready to discuss his life and times with me and my friends.
Len had an infinite curiosity and passion for learning and problem solving that also inspired me. He loved to gather and store information about many subjects, from cooking and gardening, to Jewish philosophy and medical ethics. He loved Gilbert and Sullivan and we had a great sing-a-long in his last week of life - swapping his store of G&S lyrics with my store of Tom Lehrer and Flanders and Swann. Right to the very end he worked on his daily Sudoko puzzle.
He was a true leader who led by example rather than charisma or manipulation. There are many people today in Melbourne who were inspired by him to become doctors, just as he was inspired by his uncle Dr. Percy Bartak.
But more than the inspiration was his love and devotion to me and the rest of the family.
Len I loved you more than I can ever express.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Albert Oaten. My mom, Mira, adored your dad for his personal devotion and care of her sickly 3 month old colic son 46 years ago- that would be me.
She has often told me about your dad - he came over to their house personally - realized there was a problem with the formula the hospital had given me, changed it, and followed up to make sure all was well. He was a naturally caring person, and a friendship was born between Len and my parents.
He and his wife and 9 year old son - that would be you - even visited us in California many years later.
She was saddened to see that your father had passed, and wanted to contact you and tell you about her memories of your father. His memory and spirit are alive and well in people like my mother and now me to some extent.
Please let me know your email address so my mom can reach you. I'm at albert.oaten@gmail.com
Albert