Born at Semaphore, SA, Eric Gartrell was educated at St Peters College and the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1921. His academic record was outstanding, he was a keen sportsman and a successful distance runner. In 1923 he travelled to England as a ship's surgeon via Cape Horn, a passage which no doubt reflected his lifelong love for the sea and his disregard for physical comfort. After obtaining MRCP in 1924, he devoted a further two years in London to studying cardiology at the National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart. On his return to Adelaide in 1926, cardiology was barely acceptable as a specialty of its own. Consequently for many years both his private practice and the honorary appointment he obtained at the (Royal) Adelaide Hospital were in general medicine. However in 1927 he was also asked to set up an ECG service within the hospital, which he did meticulously and zealously, despite the lowly rank of clinical assistant.

After a further period of study in the UK, in 1934 to 1935 he returned home determined to restrict his private practice entirely to cardiology, a satisfying but courageous decision for those days, although ultimately a very successful one. At the same time his principal hospital appointment remained "generalist" and as a senior physician his clinical and teaching responsibilities were considerable. To a modest and conscientious man, this dichotomy caused increasing concern that he could not maintain the high standard he set for himself in both disciplines. Worry on this score no doubt contributed to the disabling attacks of migraine to which he was prone, even late in life. Relief came in 1955 when the Royal Adelaide Hospital Board agreed to set up a specialist cardiac clinic to which Eric was appointed (senior) honorary cardiologist, where he continued until his retirement from the Hospital in 1958.

During World War II he had served in the (R)AAMC from 1940 to 1946, first as DADMS in SA and later in the Pacific Islands, and ultimately as a Lt Colonel OC Medicine 2/9 AGH. In the army he was greatly respected by all ranks who served with him, both for his professional skill and for his modesty and consideration for others - characteristics not always retained by all members of his profession after donning a uniform.

A Foundation Fellow, Eric was an active and loyal supporter of the College. Although he was one of the founders of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, its first secretary and later councillor and chairman, he was anxious that the Society should maintain a close association with the College and not be regarded as a "splinter" group. He was not a gregarious man and he never sought high office or public acclaim. At the same time he was always very conscious of the responsibilities of his profession to the community. In 1957, under the stimulus of his friend (Sir) Kempson Maddox (qv), Eric took a very active part in the formation of the National Heart Foundation and its first public appeal for funds. He was a vice-president of the SA Division for some years.

While in the UK he had married Florence Ridpath of Wimbledon. They had three daughters and one son, now a FFARACS with a private anaesthetic practice and an appointment at the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital. When not working, Eric most enjoyed being with his family, in his garden or deep sea fishing in a sixteen foot open boat in all weathers. A man of considerable physical stamina and spartan ways, he scorned wind, wet and cold, and often, too, the protests of his crew when seeking snapper miles from land. Perhaps his greatest thrill was boating a 35 lb fish which he kept on ice under his bed at home for several days so it could be displayed to all who called. Its ultimate fate was never disclosed. Unfortunately his wife's ill health and later his own curtailed his activities for some years before his death in 1977. He is remembered by his colleagues and past students as a gentleman of the greatest integrity, who deplored hypocrisy, who was always considerate of others and who was the very devoted father of cardiology in Adelaide.