Born in New Zealand on St Andrew's Day in 1962, Andrew was the second of seven children. Both parents were psychiatrists and he was raised in Toowoomba, attending Downlands College, where he excelled in his studies and from an early age expressed a wish to study medicine. He graduated MBBS in 1985 from University of Queensland (UQ), where his family has a rich involvement with medicine, with a number of other relatives graduates of the program.

Andrew was known for his quirky sense of humour, great sense of fun, exuberant warmth and always his great love of and pride in his own family. He and his wife Sue raised four children who were fortunate to share in his joy of travel and his excitement with various sports and pastimes including rugby – particularly the Wallabies – sailing, bush walking and road cycling. It was noted by his family that Andrew was 'never about winning or being competitive but rather just taking part and having fun.' He had a life-long love of classical music and possessed an excellent singing voice, delighting in being a member of the UQ Medical Choir.

Andrew married in 1988, and in 1989, after completing his internship and resident years, he commenced as a registrar at Westmead Hospital and then as a Gastroenterology advanced trainee at Royal North Shore Hospital during 1991 and 1992. In 1993 he returned to Queensland, and completed a Research Fellowship year at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).

From 1994 to 2010, Andrew was a VMO to The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) and the success of the new endoscopy day procedure unit was attributed to his efforts. He maintained his part-time VMO appointment at RBWH from 1995 until his death, alongside his large private practice. His RBWH colleagues reflected that his gastroenterology knowledge was wide, with a reputation as having a very thoughtful approach to consultative practice and that he possessed excellent procedural skills. He had a reputation as a compassionate clinician who cared deeply about his patients.

Perhaps his abiding 'passion' in life was for aviation. After completing a Diploma in Aviation Medicine at Otago University, he combined his clinical work with service to the Australian Defence Force, serving as a member of the Air Force Reserve for more than 20 years and reaching the rank of Wing Commander. He was deployed to Bougainville with the Peacekeeping Force in 2000 and thereafter maintained his regular contribution to training activities and conferences. This year Andrew gave the ANZAC Day address at the annual UQ Medical School ceremony, where he emotionally spoke of the devastating Battle of Passchendaele.

The RBWH staff remember Andrew with fondness, particularly the nursing and administration staff. At the recent retirement of a senior administration officer at RBWH, Andrew was singled out as the one consultant in her memory who had never complained and was always polite.

Andrew took his own life in part driven by overwhelming circumstances, the burden of his work load, mental and physical exhaustion and undoubtedly the demands of everyday life. His death has prompted calls for us all within the profession to look after ourselves more, be more attentive to and care more for our colleagues, and if possible seek timely intervention. Andrew's death will not be in vain.

Andrew is survived by his wife Susan, children John, Alexander, Charlotte and Nicholas; his father Dr Fabian Bryant; his siblings Alison, Christopher, Nicholas, Mark, Matthew and Cate and a very large extended family.