John Noel (Noel) Walker was born in Newcastle NSW, one of six children of Cecil Walker, headmaster, and his wife Mary (nee Quinn). He was a generous, cheerful red head. He died of vascular disease.

Of his six siblings one, Anthony, was a dentist and another, Keith (FRACS), a urologist. His wife was Catherine McCracken. They married in 1945 and had six children: Anne, Anthony (decd), Michael (decd),Christopher (a doctor, decd), Julie and Maria.

Noel was an outstanding scholar. A Bishop’s bursary took him to St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill where he had a brilliant career, both as a sportsman and scholar. He played in the First Eleven at cricket and in the First Fifteen as halfback at rugby. At the end of school he topped the state in mathematics and won a bursary to study medicine at Sydney University. At graduation he became a a medical officer at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney before moving to general practice at Stockton near Newcastle. There he gained the MRACP whilst running a busy general practice.

In the 1950s he was appointed an HMO at the Newcastle Mater Hospital where he developed an increasing interest in cardiology and became a leading and respected member of the medical community. In 1965 he joined the visiting staff of Royal Newcastle Hospital where he played a major role in the development of cardiac services, including the establishment of one of the earliest coronary care units in the state. He had a fine talent for teaching, both in the wards and in a large outpatient clinic as well as in the undergraduate medical program of the Newcastle University Medical School. His skill at auscultation was outstanding.

However, his interests extended beyond clinical affairs. He cherished family life with his wife, Cath, and their children. A great raconteur and connoisseur of Hunter reds, he loved a Sunday barbecue surrounded by family and friends. His deep Catholic faith sustained him in his deteriorating health. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.