Fritz Dreifuss was born in Dresden, Germany, his father a doctor. In the early 1930s forebodings associated with the growth of the Nazi party led the family to migrate, first to England, then to South Africa and eventually to settle in Auckland, New Zealand. Here Dr Dreifuss resumed the practice of medicine. Fritz was enrolled as a border at Wanganui Collegiate School and on matriculation in 1945 he entered the Otago University Medical School, graduating in 1950. He became a resident at Auckland Hospital and in 1953 served as a registrar in the department of neurosurgery where he probably first acquired an interest in neurology. He moved to London in 1954 serving first as a clinical clerk, later an academic registrar and then as a house physician as the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square. It was here that he mastered the science of the clinical examination of the nervous system, and the art associated with the elicitation of the patient’s history. Fred, as he was familiarly known to friends and colleagues, was respected and liked. His slight build, his passionate ebullient enthusiasm and energy accompanied by a sparkling sense of humour made a unique contribution to the very special atmosphere which existed among the house staff at that time. His announcement that he was to resign and return to New Zealand met with universal regret. It was typical of the man that he should have devised an experiment to enliven the long sea voyage, by observing the orbit in the vortex of the draining bath water, which should reverse its direction following the crossing of the Equator. Unfortunately the staff appointment at Auckland Hospital failed to eventuate and the Dreifuss family once again became involved in a migratory movement. On this occasion New Zealand’s loss was to prove the gain of the United States.

Dr Dreifuss arrived in Charlottesville and joined the Faculty of the University of Virginia, where he served as assistant professor of neurology in 1959, associate professor in 1964 and professor of neurology and head of the department in 1968.

Over a period of time his wide ranging neurological interests narrowed, and he focused on the general area of child neurology and his special involvement with epilepsy crystallised. He became increasingly involved in the whole gambit of the investigation, management and social implications of the epileptic phenomena. Early investigations involving the long term monitoring of spike and wave complexes led to clarification of the nature of the absence attack. They also led into the development of EEG telemetry. The application of these techniques was associated with the evaluation of important new pharmacological agents, ethosuximide, clonazepam and valproate. It was not surprising that he should become involved in the classification and terminology used in this field of medicine and his contribution to the formulation of an international standard of descriptive terms may be his most lasting contribution.

He was for many years an international figure in his field and he would seem to have been in almost continuous travel between centres and institutes where he would be either visiting professor or honorary lecturer. Nevertheless, there was still time to work as a practising neurologist, and remain committed to the care of individual patients. At one time he was President of the Epilepsy Foundation as well as the American Epilepsy Society and the International League against Epilepsy. Always aware of the sociological implications of the disorder and the manifold ethical and legal implications of the diagnosis, he was devoted to these lay bodies, which cared for the patients’ interests.

Honours were showered upon him in the form of named lectureships, editorials in journals and memberships of various committees and advisory bodies. There were many published articles with a bibliography of over 300 papers and textbook chapters and a formidable list of less formal contributions.

He was married to Daphne Guthrie prior to his journey to England in the 1950s and she survives him, living in Charlottesville. He was also survived by his two children, Donald and Simone, and his brother John.