The Royal Children’s Hospital Alumni were saddened to learn of the death of Mr Maxwell (Max) Kent on December 20th 2017.

Max Kent graduated from Melbourne University in 1952 and undertook surgical training at the Alfred Hospital before being appointed Assistant Surgeon at the Children’s Hospital in 1958. He subsequently did a period of overseas training, on an Uncle Bob’s Club Scholarship, at The Chicago Children’s Hospital. After returning to Melbourne he established the Combined Cancer Therapy Clinic, was Chairman of the Division of Surgery from 1979 – 84 and Chief of Surgery 1981-86.

Many of his former trainees and colleagues have sent tributes which include:

“Max for me was a marvellous teacher, a gentle lovely man, and a wonderful clinician” (Marg DeCampo)

“I remember Max and the high regard we held him in during my time as Head of Paediatric Ophthalmology 1968..1977” (Frank Billson)

“I learnt a lot from Max in my registrar training both as an excellent diagnostician and always with his dry sense of humour when I was on the wrong track.” (Trish Davidson)

“I still look back and realize one only meets very few colleagues in a working life for whom one engenders special respect for their ability and personality.  Max is most certainly one of those such people in my memory.   A good and loyal workmate with exceptional skill to unite his team to provide the very best results, he will always be remembered fondly by those of us who were fortunate to have known him.” (Helene King)