Geoffrey Archibald was the only son of George and Margorie Archibald of Nelson. He was educated at Nelson College and Otago University. Following his graduation and two years as house surgeon at Christchurch Hospital he spent a further two years there as a registrar, first in medicine and then in dermatology.
He passed his MRACP in 1972 and travelled to England for further training in dermatology. This time was spent at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and at St Thomas's Hospital. In 1977, he moved to Melbourne and then to Brisbane. He was elected FRACP and Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists in 1977. By this time he was married to Bernadette Sleagh. There are two children, Jacqueline and Benjamin.
Geoff Archibald was regarded by all who knew and worked with him as an exceptionally bright and capable young physician. Sadly, as may happen to those with exceptional gifts, he found it difficult to achieve a settled and stable working life and Geoff's sudden and tragic death at the age of 33 cut short a career which was full of promise.