Graham Riley was born in Dunedin, the third son of Frederick and Susan Riley (née Graham). His father was the first professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Otago and his brother Peter also entered the medical profession. He was educated at John McGlashan College and graduated from Otago University in 1935. A long association with Christchurch Hospital began in 1936 with resident appointments and later he was assistant superintendent from 1937-38. In London he worked at the Royal Masonic Hospital and immediately after gaining the London Membership enlisted with 2 NZEF. He served from 1940-44 in England, the Middle East and the Pacific, reaching the rank of major. While working as a physician at a CCS in Guadalcanal he kept a clinical diary, The sick soldier, which he later presented to a New Zealand military library.

In 1944 Graham married Patricia White of Wellington, a VAD in the WAAC. He returned to Christchurch Hospital as medical registrar before becoming an assistant physician in 1946. He was the first Christchurch general physician to limit his private practice to referred consultant work. After further post-graduate study in England during 1952 he specialised in neurology, which provided the background for an increasing interest in care of the elderly and the need for leadership in this discipline. For nine years he was director of medicine for the North Canterbury Hospital Board before becoming the first head of the department of geriatric medicine from 1972-77. He established an assessment and rehabilitation unit at Princess Margaret Hospital and started the planning for a chair in health care of the elderly.

Although slight in stature he possessed boundless energy for a huge range of professional, community and sporting activities. A most efficient organiser who communicated well, he was a good listener particularly to younger colleagues and set the highest standards, both in his personal care of patients and in his leadership of numerous professional organisations. He served the RACP in many capacities from senior censor 1965-70 to New Zealand Vice-President 1968-70. The citation for his award of the College Medal in 1984 tells how “he relentlessly, like a terrier chewing a bone, virtually single-handed made the Council aware of the smouldering resentment among the Members of the College concerning the policy of election to the Fellowship by patronage, and he went on to make an undeniable case for its abolition”.

His other committee activities ranged from presidency of the Canterbury Division of the BMA to membership of the Mt Cook National Park Board, the Board of the Royal Humane Society, the Board of Health Committees on Poisons and Drug Dependency, the Search and Rescue Advisory Committee and many others. In his retirement he made an enormous contribution to the welfare of older people through various executive appointments including a term as president of the NZ Geriatrics Society.

In 1977, in recognition of his public service, Graham Riley became a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order.

His interests extended far beyond medicine. It was during holidays on his father’s sheep station at Lake Hawea that he first experienced his love of the mountains and the outdoors. With three others he made the maiden ascent of a peak in the Southern Alps and in 1964 with his wife Patricia he conquered Mt Rolleston.

His cottage “Beechwood”, in the Arthurs Pass National Park was a joy and inspiration for the Riley family and their friends. When he was still a medical student, he exhibited The Furrows, Hawea Flat in the London Salon of Photography.

Graham loved cricket and enjoyed coaching his sons, one of whom achieved provincial representative honours. A big moment for the not so young physician was when he rose to his feet on the Lancaster Park embankment to catch a huge six from the big hitting New Zealand international, Tony MacGibbon. The Christchurch Press reported that the ball “was caught by a young man in a brown hat”.

Graham and Patricia shared a very happy marriage for 54 years and were true partners in all their activities. With their four sons, three of whom live in the United States, they enjoyed a wonderful family life. It was cruel and perhaps ironic that he suffered from Parkinson’s disease in his later years, a diagnosis which he made himself while watching a home video. In keeping with his philosophy for others, he strove to be as active as possible, supported by his loving wife and uplifted by the spectacular views of his beloved Southern Alps.