‘Truly missed’: Professor Allan Cripps remembered as father of medical education on Gold Coast

Tributes are flowing for a renowned Griffith University professor hailed as the ‘father of medical education on the Gold Coast’ who has passed away aged 72.

Professor Emeritus Allan Cripps AO

Heartfelt tributes are being paid to legendary Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Emeritus Allan Cripps AO, who passed away on Tuesday aged 72.

Considered the “father of medical education on the Gold Coast”, Professor Cripps was the inaugural Pro Vice Chancellor (Health) from 2005 to 2016, established the Griffith University School of Medicine and created the university’s largest academic group, Health Group.

Dr Nic West, who worked under Professor Cripps at Griffith Health, said: Professor Cripps was “a great human being”.

“He was such a wonderful, genuine, generous, smart, witty person that I learned so much from,” Dr West said.

“Allan’s vision transformed health education, student training and medical research on the Gold Coast.

“He was kind, generous, honest, and fun. He will truly be missed.”

Professor Emeritus Allan Cripps AO has been described as a “wonderful, genuine, generous, smart and witty person”.

Professor Cripps will be remembered as a passionate scientist and industry leader who strived to improve access to education for disadvantaged students and developed one of the country’s largest health and medical research programs.

At Griffith, he mentored around 50 students through their doctorates and under his stewardship, the university facilitated one of Australia’s most outstanding medical and dental schools.

Professor Cripps also founded and chaired the Australian Society for Immunology’s Special Interest Group for Mucosal Immunology and was a fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Scientists, the Australian Society for Microbiology, the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, the Institute of Biomedical Scientists (UK) and the Australasian College of Health and Service Management.

Professor Allan Cripps, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health) Griffith University mentored around 50 Gold Coast students through their doctorates.

Having spent some of his early life in Tamworth and country NSW, Professor Cripps was a boy of the bush determined to improve rural access to health care.

University staff say they will miss sharing meals at Professor Cripps’ home and touring his famous wine cellar.

Beloved husband to Diana and father to Zac, Sofie, Nathan, Dane and Natasha, Professor Cripps will be dearly missed by the Robina and Sanctuary Cove communities, where he lived for a combined 20 years.

Details of Professor Cripps’ funeral are being finalised.