Peter Waugh was born in Sydney, the 3rd child of Richard and Elaine Waugh (née Whiting). He was educated in Parramatta, initially at Tara (a school started by 2 of his aunts) and then at The Kings School, Parramatta. He achieved first class honours in the Leaving Certificate and then went on to Sydney University to study medicine. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of his father, a general practitioner in Parramatta. He was a prosector in 2nd year and went on to graduate in 1941 with 2nd class honours.

After graduating in 1941 he was a junior resident medical officer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH). In 1942 he married Patricia Macintosh, also a JRMO at RPAH. Pat had caught his attention in second year medicine. His initial approach to her was to offer to pay for her tram fare from Central Railway Station to Sydney University ? a "penny'. He often said it was the best investment he ever made. Three weeks after marrying he went off to the war in New Guinea and to serve as a medical officer with the AIF

After the war he joined his father in general practice and in doing so became the third generation of his family to practice medicine in Parramatta. His grandfather, Isaac Waugh had settled in Parramatta in the late 1800’s. Isaac had originally come to Australia as a ship’s surgeon on the "Galilea" ? the ship in which Prince Alfred was touring the world. When Prince Alfred was shot whilst picnicking on Clontarf beach, Isaac had been part of the surgical team that removed the bullet. (Peter was always proud to show off the gold replica of the bullet that had been presented to Isaac as a memento). Isaac subsequently returned to Parramatta to set up practice, starting a long tradition of medicine in that town. Two of Peter’s sons, Richard and David, have also gone on to practise medicine in Parramatta making four generations of doctoring Waughs in Parramatta.

In addition to working in general practice, Peter continued his physician’s training at Concord Hospital and in 1947 was made a Member of the RACP. He remained in general practice until 1955 when he took leave to travel to the United States to get further training in the emerging specialty of allergy medicine. Upon his return to Australia, Peter became a consultant physician at Parramatta Hospital and also an assistant physician in the Allergy Clinic at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He remained in this position until the closure of Parramatta Hospital in 1980, and then was at Westmead Hospital until his retirement in 1982.

As a doctor he was well respected by his peers and colleagues and loved by his patients. His clinical acumen, unique sense of humour, caring nature, thoroughness and gentle manner were renowned and led to a very busy practice.

His main pleasures outside of medicine were simple; golf, reading, fishing and "mucking about' on his boat "Bissy Girl”. He always enjoyed a good story ? either listening to it or telling it, and took great delight in quoting passages from Shakespeare which no one ever quite knew to be true or made up.

After retiring in 1990 he and Patricia moved to the Southern Highlands. There he pursued his loves of golf and reading but unfortunately fell and fractured his hip in 1995 and died suddenly whilst convalescing. He left behind his wife Patricia and 5 children Richard, Tony, David, Barbara and Timothy.