Dr Anthony Russell (Tony) Clarkson trained in nephrology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide with Jim Lawrence, becoming a member of the second tier of Australian nephrologists, after Jim Lawrence and Priscilla Kincaid-Smith. After a Churchill Fellowship and four years in Edinburgh with JS Robson, and an appointment in London with Stewart Cameron, he was appointed the inaugural Director of the Renal Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) in 1973, a position he held until 1998. He retired from full-time practice in 2003.

Amongst his many contributions to nephrology were, his time on the Council of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN) council (1976 to 1982, including serving as Society president from 1980 to 1982); Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology council from 1985 to 2001; and International Society of Nephrology (ISN) council from 1997 to 2005.

In the ISN, Tony had a major role in the evolution of nephrological education programs for developing countries, and was much valued in active teaching and planning participation, notably in South East Asia, and particularly in Myanmar. He was elected a life member of ANZSN in 2003, and was also a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to nephrology and the community.

He and Andrew Woodroffe made major contributions to the understanding of IgA nephropathy, with numerous publications and book chapters. Fostering international nephrology relationships was a priority for Tony, with many visiting fellows to the RAH as a direct result. In his later years he was a member and President of the Medical Board of South Australia.

This brief summary, though, does not do sufficient credit to Tony's contributions to nephrology in this country and around the world. An outstanding clinician, he was a legendary figure in nephrology circles, with his skill, wit, insight, gregariousness, and inviting and friendly disposition. Everybody who interacted with Tony has at least one story to tell, and he was universally liked and respected, not least by his many patients. He took a personal interest in mentoring young nephrologists, including the authors, and was a great teacher of students and physician trainees.

Away from nephrology, he was an outstanding sportsman, being a household name in South Australian football circles, and had the rare distinction of a double blue in cricket and football at the University of Adelaide. Tony died on 25 January 2011, of complications of acute myeloid leukemia. He was a dedicated family man, a loyal friend, and a consumer of fine wine.