John Sevier was born in Sydney on 23 August 1916 and died there, after a mercifully brief malignant illness, on 28 November 2000.

He was the youngest of five children to Harry and Etta Sevier, (née Foote) and grew up in Strathfield where he attended Meriden School. He boarded at Sydney Church of England Grammar School, North Sydney from 1929 to 1934 where he excelled scholastically and as a rower. He won a scholarship to Sydney University studying medicine from 1935 to 1940 and served in the Sydney University Regiment with the rank of Lieutenant. He participated in many school sports and was a member of the successful intervarsity rowing eight in 1936 and 1937. He graduated MBBS with honours and did his internship at Sydney Hospital, the hospital to which he remained faithful throughout his professional life. In 1941, while a junior resident medical officer, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, attained the rank of squadron leader and served in the Pacific region including Noumea, Vila, Port Moresby and Milne Bay, well-known Australian battle areas during the Pacific War. He gained membership of the RACP in 1945 and within a year or two after demobilisation was appointed Honorary Assistant Physician to Sydney Hospital.

John served the hospital as a respected physician and greatly appreciated teacher until his retirement from the active staff in 1977 when he was appointed Honorary Consulting Physician. He remained throughout his professional life the epitome of the “General Physician”, comfortable and competent to discuss, teach and manage the entire spectrum of internal medicine. His exemplary contributions to patient care and undergraduate teaching over a period of several decades were recognised by Sydney Hospital with the award of the Archie Telfer Prize.

He spent the largest part of his professional life in and around Macquarie Street, Sydney. Patients, family practitioners, legal authorities and insurance companies, eagerly sought his advice. He was a lucid teacher appreciated by students and respected by colleagues. He married Lorna Hagon in 1941, a happy union that was to last for close to 60 years; they had two sons, both medical graduates and one daughter. He had several hobbies, including playing golf, which provided him with exercise beyond his retirement. Respected by his colleagues, beloved by his patients and missed by his family and friends, he will be remembered as honest and beloved John for years to come.