Skip to main content Site Map

Richard Aickin Obituary

We are very sad to let you know of the passing of Richard Aickin in the early hours of Sunday morning. He passed away peacefully, with his family by his side. Throughout his illness, including in recent days, he has been in close contact with his much-loved Children's Emergency Department whānau.

This is a tremendous loss for Jan, for Richard’s family, for all of us, and all of his colleagues around New Zealand and the world. He will be so sorely missed.

Richard has been at the centre of Starship for over 30 years. He established our Children’s Emergency Department, was the founding Paediatric Emergency Department Specialist, and set up Paediatric Emergency Training as a specialty in New Zealand and Australia.

He was a superb clinician and was humble, caring and approachable to everyone. He has been a mentor, teacher and friend to so many. He has been a highly renowned leader internationally and in New Zealand in resuscitation. Last November he was awarded the Sir David Hay medal, reserved for those who have made an outstanding or lifelong contribution to Resuscitation and Emergency Care in New Zealand. This has only been awarded five times since 1997. He also established APLS in New Zealand, enabling the training of countless clinicians to improve resuscitation care for our tamariki.

Richard was also heavily involved in Paediatric Society networks and advocacy for child health in New Zealand and volunteered extensively in the Pacific. In addition to all that, he was the Medical Director of Starship for several years.

Richard's funeral will be held at St Matthew-in-the-city, 132 Hobson Street, Auckland City at 2pm on Thursday 19th of May. A live stream of the service() will be available.

Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne. We will miss you, dear friend.

← Back to the news