Frank Raymond Hone, always known as Ray Hone, was born at Morphett Vale, South Australia, in 1897, a chip off the block of FS Hone, himself a famous physician, whom he greatly resembled in appearance, personality, choler and vigour. Educated at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, he entered the medical course at the University of Adelaide in 1916 and qualified in 1920. In 1921 he was a house surgeon at the Royal Adelaide hospital, and after that, on a scholarship study in biochemistry, he worked on insulin with Brailsford Robertson. This great interest in biochemistry stayed with him always. In 1923 he married Maisie Gault and then went to England for postgraduate study. On his return a year later, he went into private practice in the same rooms as his father, and later his brother Gar. These three large men nearly filled the rooms at 178 North Terrace. All hospital and university appointments then were honorary and he gave much time in a number of posts including honorary pathologist at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital for some twenty years, temporary lecturer in pathology during 1930, tutor in medicine from 1932 to 1940, director and lecturer in the principles and practice of medicine from 1945 to 1946, and lecturer in medicine from 1947 to 1956.

In 1935 he was appointed honorary assistant physician at Royal Adelaide Hospital and was elevated to honorary physician from 1945 to 1957, and honorary consulting physician on his retirement from the active staff.

He was a general physician in the original meaning of the word with an enormously wide knowledge in virtually all branches of medicine, to a degree not possible these days. He became a foundation Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1938, a councillor, 1951-60 and vice-president, 1960-62. In the 40s and 50s he served on the board of censors for many years. He was a member of the South Australian state committee from 1939 to 1958 and its honorary secretary from 1944 to 1951. He was, at various times, a member of council of the University of Adelaide, a member of council of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, a member of the South Australian Medical Board and a member of the Postgraduate Committee in Medicine. It is hard to imagine how he could have been more involved in College, University and Hospital affairs.

In 1940 he enlisted as specialist physician in 2/2 Australian General Hospital and after promotion from major to lieutenant-colonel in the Middle East he became OC medical division 2/1 AGH on return to Australia until 1943, when he was discharged at the request of co-ordination committee for university and hospital teaching. This is when people of my vintage first met him and life was never the same again.

There was nothing half-hearted about Ray Hone. He was an energetic, aggressive man and a compulsive teacher. Whenever and whatever he gave, he gave with both hands and sometimes a foot! He encouraged, and expected, high quality work especially from those whom he thought capable, and he distributed freely praise or displeasure accordingly. Although he was respected, admired and loved by many people, there were very few among undergraduates and postgraduates who were not a little afraid of him on occasions. He was very versatile and interested in everything, especially sport, music, literature, food and wine and more than anything, of course, medicine. He played tennis, cricket and football at the University and represented South Australia at tennis. He was a member of the council of the South Australian Lawn Tennis Association for many years. A splendid host, he seemed to do most of the College entertaining of visiting notables to Adelaide.

He was responsible for developing the first semi-organised postgraduate teaching aimed at the MRACP. This consisted, initially, of a two hour session with intending physicians after the routine Saturday morning ward round. I can still see him with cigarette ash down the front of his striped navy waistcoat in a circle of white coated registrars, firing questions and controlling or livening up the debate. Mostly it was good fun, but not always. Anyone who made mistakes, particularly with clinical signs, was suddenly in a very hot seat. He was a great debunker of nonsense and he could, and would, demolish argument or person, irrespective of standing or reputation, with rapier, or club or both.

He was, in short, a marvellous physician and teacher. The many whom he helped are forever grateful to him. He is survived by his widow Maisie, two daughters, Mary Kerr Grant and Jill Whittaker and two sons, Michael and Geoffrey Hone.