Philip Alan Rundle was born in Newcastle in 1917, the youngest of seven children of Catherine and Richard Rundle, who were proprietors of Rundles Menswear in the CBD of Newcastle. Theirs was a talented family which included his brother, Francis Felix (1910 to 1993), surgeon, professor, and the Founding Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Philip married Valmae Patterson in 1949 and had a daughter, Philippa (an occupational physician) and Geoffrey (a barrister).

He received his secondary education, firstly at TAS (The Armidale School) and then following the 1929 Depression, at Newcastle Boys High School. Philip attended the University of Sydney having won a university exhibition and scholarship to Wesley College and graduated with Honours, MBBS in September 1941. He enjoyed his 6 years at Sydney University, particularly in University Athletics in which he was awarded a University Blue as a sprinter and represented the University in Athletics competitions.

On completion of his residency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, he volunteered for the AIF and served from 11 July 1942 to 8 October 1946 in the Australian Army Medical Corps [AAMC] with the rank of Captain. He saw operational service in Papua and New Guinea from 22 December 1943 to 27 October 1944 in the AAMC Field Ambulance and Casualty Clearing Stations. At other times, he had medical duties including as a pathologist, at Base Hospitals - Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.

On discharge from the AIF, Philip completed a period of 2 years post- graduate study at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital as an associate medical registrar to the Professor of Medicine. During this time, he completed his membership, by examination, of the RACP and contributed literature including on BAL Therapy in Acute Arsenical Poisoning.

Following the death of his mother in 1948, Philip returned to Newcastle and began private practice as a consultant physician, specializing in industrial medicine and forensic medicine as well as having a particular concern for the health and welfare of ex-service men and women.

In relation to his forensic specialty, he was appointed the Government Medical Officer for Newcastle and in relation to his industrial medicine specialty, he was responsible for the inception and subsequent management and development of the medical services at the NSW State Dockyard at Newcastle and at the Sulphide Corporation, a subsidiary of Consolidated Zinc Ltd at Cockle Creek. These companies were industrial factory/production companies employing large numbers of skilled, unskilled and trades qualified workers and he undertook this work with a close association with the company executives and the 'front line' workforce.

 In 1961, after a serious car accident, Philip and his family relocated to Sydney, and he established a consultancy practice in Macquarie Street Sydney at Hengrove Hall. In different times, he held appointments at the Ryde, Western Suburbs, Royal North Shore, and Balmain Hospitals.

In Sydney, he continued his specialty in industrial medicine and held similar consultant positions with Tooths Brewery and the Australian Gas Light Company (1962 to 1993); both companies at that time were industrial factory/production companies  As well as responsibilities for the health and return to work of the workforce following injuries, he was also a confidante to both the executives and production workers, conducting bi-weekly on-site clinics for the production staff and regular appointments with executives including the CEO’s. This was recognized in the AGL company death notice “Doctor was a great supportive friend, colleague and advisor, and although not an official employee, he was undoubtedly considered “as one of us” by all.

Philip had a wide medical knowledge and experience and was also a highly respected medico-legal expert witness in the sphere of personal injury in the District and Supreme Courts.

In addition to devoting his life to Medicine, Philip had a wide variety of interests from sport and ballet to symphony concerts and the humanities. His enjoyment of literature and poetry was kindled by the Australian poet A.D Hope, one of his High School teachers; and shared with Dr Stanley Goulston who later went on to pioneer the teaching of medical humanities in Australia.

Stanley Goulston recalled in his obituary of Philip “Philip based his life on self-discipline, the importance of family and love of fellow man. He was a big man, physically, intellectually, and spiritually. Those who knew him well appreciated his dry humour and his sincerity. He was able to entertain all those he met with his wit and fund of original and humorous stories.”

Further, as Stanley Goulstan recalled, Philip and Val’s marriage was a true partnership. Philip took an active interest in Val’s enthusiasm for Archeology and Egyptology which led to the Macquarie University setting up the Foundation for Egyptology in 1981 and naming it 'The Rundle Foundation for Egyptology'.

Philip enjoyed their home together – both keen gardeners and readers and he passed away peacefully at home on 28 October 1993 after doing a morning medical clinic at AGL.