Stephen was born in Perth but spent his formative early childhood in Singapore as a member of a close and prominent family with a strong ethos and vision. His grandfather, Lem Bo Seng, was a member of MI5 and a hero to the people of Singapore during WW2. Stephen’s father was a geologist, teacher and professor. His uncle, Lee Kuan Yew, was Prime Minister of Singapore.
Stephen was educated at Prince Alfred College and the University of Adelaide, graduating MB, BS in 1984.
He practised in the rapidly developing outer northern suburbs of Adelaide, acquiring specialised expertise in the management of diabetes and pain. His patients appreciated his care, which he gave unstintingly; patient care was his lifelong interest and goal.
Stephen joined the RACGP as a Member in 1997. He held the positions of Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary of the SA&NT Faculty 1999 to 2001, Faculty Chair 2001 to 2006, and served as the SA&NT Faculty Representative on Council, [now Board], from August 2001 to October 2006 despite significant health problems, when the Faculty Board recognised that Council needed his particular skills.
These were difficult times for the RACGP, and his financial acumen and political courage, and skills were severely tested. He helped steer the College to a better place and was self-sacrificing in terms of his health and his positions held, if he felt the College would benefit.
Of this time Professor Kidd wrote: “Dr Stephen Leow served on RACGP Council as Chair of the SA&NT Faculty throughout my four years as RACGP President. Stephen was an unwavering source of support and wisdom throughout this often troubled time for our College. He was also a very kind and thoughtful colleague, qualities which also endeared him to many of his patients. I grieve the passing of our dear friend”.
An extract from the 2002 SA&NT Faculty Annual Report records the appreciation of Dr Paul Money, the NT Representative on the SA&NT Faculty Board: “Lastly, I would personally like to take the opportunity to thank Stephen Leow for his genuine interest in NT affairs and giving his time so generously to the College activities relevant to the NT”.
He served as a member of the Faculty Chair Committee 2001.
He was a member of Finance Committee: Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee 2001 to 2006, during which time 2002 to 2005 he was the SA&NT Faculty Representative on Audit Committee/Audit and Risk Management Committee of Council.
He was Chair, Finance Committee of Council from May 2004 to October 2005, and Honorary Treasurer RACGP September 2004 to September 2005.
Externally, he served as Chair of General Practice Education Australia [GPEA] 2004 to 2006.
He was Provost SA&NT Faculty 2006 to 2008, resigning in favour of the Chair to ensure the continuity of SA&NT Faculty representation on Council. He was immediately appointed Co-opted Member/Executive Member of the SA&NT Faculty Board in 2008 and remained in that position until his retirement from the Board in August 2012.
He chaired the Pain Management group of the RACGP Faculty of Specific Interests. He was a Member of the Australian Pain Society. He was an advisor to pharmaceutical companies. He was a member of the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
The RACGP was but one facet of Stephen’s extraordinarily busy life.
He taught General Practice as a Clinical Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Adelaide.
He loved entertaining, fine dining and travel, and he had an adventurous life with cars, flying planes, skydiving, sailing, skiing and fishing.
His family was central. He loved his steadfast mother and his sisters, one a diplomat, the other a lawyer. His children Ben and Amy were loved and also a source of great pride, as were his wife Holly and stepdaughter Aiyanna, all of whom spoke movingly of their relationships with him at the celebration of his life.
Stephen courageously never allowed illness to limit his dedication to the task in hand or to dominate his life. He died at peace in The Mary Potter Hospice, Calvary North Adelaide.
Vale Stephen
Dr Peter C J Joseph AM FAMA FRACGP