Geoffrey Donald Oates

Both his parents were teachers, instilling in him the importance of education and training, which remained a focal point throughout his life.Geoff was one of the first surgeons in England to introduce the concept of "surgical oncology" and was passionate in pursuit of optimal surgery and multidisciplinary care for patients with cancer, particularly for breast and colorectal cancer, long before the concept of such care evolved.Predeceased in 1971 by his first wife, Mollie, he leaves Liz, whom he married in 1973, and two children from his marriage to Mollie (his son, John, a consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon and a leading expert on otology; and his daughter, Sue).