TRIBUTES have been paid to Peter Rawcliffe, a former Oxford GP who became a founder of the Oxford Flood Alliance.
Dr Rawcliffe, who lived in South Hinksey with wife Maggie, died aged 72 last month at the John Radcliffe Hospital following a short illness.
While he will be remembered for his work as a GP at Botley Medical Centre before he retired in 2000, many more across Oxford will always remember him for his efforts to protect the city from flooding.
He was instrumental in the creation of the Oxford Flood Alliance in 2007, which has worked closely with the Environment Agency and other bodies on the proposals for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. He was also alliance chairman.
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Simon Collings, of Oxford Flood Alliance, said: "It is with great sadness that we report the death of Peter Rawcliffe on December 14, 2020.
"Peter was a founding member of the Oxford Flood Alliance and he played a pivotal role in the organisation throughout its history. He did a great deal to advance the interests of flood affected communities in Oxford.
"Peter was a thoughtful and courteous individual, always willing to listen to others’ views, but also a forceful and determined advocate for what he believed to be right. We owe him a great deal.
"He will be greatly missed."
Former city council leader Bob Price said Dr Rawcliffe would be 'hugely missed by everyone involved in the work to protect the western side of Oxford from the damage and heartache caused by the increased frequency of flooding'.
He added: “His energy, intellect and technical knowledge were instrumental in driving the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme forward, and bringing the local authorities and the Environment Agency into an effective partnership. The communities in South and New Hinksey, Grandpont and West Oxford are forever in his debt.”
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Peter Rawcliffe was born in Walsall, Staffordshire, in November 1948.
He studied undergraduate medicine at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and undertook his medical training at the Royal London.
Dr Rawcliffe moved to Oxford in February 1976 to take a job as a house officer at the Churchill Hospital.
Subsequently he worked as a registrar at the gastroenterology unit at the Radcliffe Infirmary, where he also undertook a research fellowship under Dr Sidney Truelove.
He specialised in Coeliac disease, undertaking research, writing books and setting up the Oxford Coeliac clinic.
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In November 1986, Dr Rawcliffe began work as a GP in Botley, where he continued to work until retirement in 2000. He was extremely hard working and well respected by both patients and colleagues.
Following his retirement, Dr Rawcliffe was active in South Hinksey community life, including as chairman of the village hall committee.
Dr Rawcliffe, right in 2007
Dr Rawcliffe is survived by his wife Maggie and his two children, David, 31, and Polly, 26. He is also survived by his sister Charlotte.
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