AJ Hood Stobo's medical roots were firmly planted in the Macquarie Street, Sydney Hospital precincts. From this base he offered wise counsel and comfort to his many faithful and grateful patients, taught medical students and shared with them his wide experience, who in turn were stimulated and at times inspired by his wisdom and genuine compassion. He represented the model Australian Physician of the middle of the twentieth century, capable, after studying in Australia and the United Kingdom, of dealing with the broad spectrum of problems in the field of internal medicine and maintaining an interest in a subspecialty to the extent of being able to widen our understanding and knowledge.

Hood Stobo was born in the Clarence River District where two uncles, Alexander Jarvie (later Sir Jarvie), a prominent member of the Scottish community in NSW and James Jarvie Hood had begun medical practice on arrival in the colony. He followed their footsteps and entered the faculty of medicine, University of Sydney in 1915. His undergraduate studies were interrupted by the events of World War I, when he volunteered as a private in the Australian Imperial Forces and saw active service in Egypt, France and Belgium. He rose to the rank of lieutenant in the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade and was mentioned in despatches.

In 1919 Hood Stobo resumed his medical course and graduated MB, Ch M in 1923. Shortly thereafter, according to the custom of the day for young graduates aspiring to further their knowledge and experience, he sought postgraduate work in London and was appointed house physician at the National Heart Hospital, Westmoreland Street, London, a position which directed him towards cardiology and the investigational technique of electrocardiography. He was admitted to membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 1926 and in the same year returned to Australia to establish a career as consultant physician. His practice was encouraged by requests to perform electrocardiograms from many well known consultants, including Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn (qv 1), the Foundation President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, who availed himself of Hood Stobo's expertise for many decades.

Upon his return to Australia Hood Stobo was appointed honorary assistant physician to Sydney Hospital, which he served well until his retirement from the active staff in 1956. He became tutor in clinical medicine in 1935 and later lecturer to final year medical students at the University of Sydney. In Hood Stobo's days outpatient clinics were not regarded as unavoidable chores to be left to junior registrars but were an integral part of the community's health care and undergraduate teaching. Week after week the room was crowded with patients and students; everybody seemed to have Hood Stobo's personal and courteous attention. These were occasions of hope and healing for the sick and an opportunity for instructing medical students. Twice a week he reported on all electrocardiograms recorded at the hospital, sessions we looked forward to even if the tracings were primitive and our knowledge limited.

His association with Royal North Shore Hospital although not quite as close was nonetheless significant. In 1928 he became honorary assistant anti-tuberculosis physician, a title changed in the following year to honorary assistant physician, pulmonary diseases. In 1935 AJ Hood Stobo became the first cardiologist at Royal North Shore. The annual hospital report for the year ending June 1936 recorded his appointment and stated that during the year, in connection with clinical services, a total of 360 electrocardiograms had been taken. In 1954 he was awarded the title consultant cardiologist which he held in perpetuity.

In 1935 Hood Stobo was appointed medical officer to the Commonwealth Bank, Sydney and later the Reserve Bank, where his contributions were widely recognised. He was an active member of the NSW Police Board. When, in 1938, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians was inaugurated Hood Stobo became a foundation fellow and served on the NSW State Committee. During the Second World War he joined the Royal Australian Airforce as physician specialist with the rank of wing commander. Among his hobbies one may mention fishing and gardening, and in his later years bowling was his favourite recreation. He was a devoted family man and at the time of his death, in his 89th year, was survived by his wife Maisie and two daughters and their families. The Senior Year Book of the University of Sydney, 1955, the year prior to his retirement, records the sentiments of his disciples: "We thank you, Sir".