Box Hill Hospital surgeon Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann remembered at emotional memorial service

PATRICK Pritzwald-Stegmann was one of Victoria’s most gifted cardiothoracic surgeons, and has been remembered as a knockabout dad and loving husband at an emotional memorial service today.

The service was held at the venue where Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann became a citizen three years ago. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

PATRICK Pritzwald-Stegmann was one of the state’s most gifted cardiothoracic surgeons, but also just as much a knockabout dad who would do anything for his little girls.

When he wasn’t holding a life in his hands on the operating table, he was at home busy nurturing the two most precious to him.

“I will miss the way his eyes lit up when he saw them,’’ wife Christine Baumberg said. “Patrick was a great dad.’’

FAMILY VIGIL FOR ONE-PUNCH SURGEON

TRIBUTES FLOW FOR RESPECTED SURGEON

Speaking publicly for the first time since her husband died after a one-punch attack while on duty at Box Hill Hospital, Mrs Baumberg admitted it would be impossible to fill the gap he had left as a devoted partner and parent to their twins.

“No matter what time he got home from work he would always go into Elsa and Sophia’s room — check they were warm enough and give them a kiss,’’ she said.

Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann died after a one-punch attack at Box Hill Hospital.

“He often said to me that he would be happy being a full-time dad.

“He was so proud and protective of his daughters. They do miss their papa.’’

But it was just as much the little things that would be difficult to let go of, she said. Patrick loved nothing more than falling asleep holding her hand.

“I will miss the warmth of his body next to mine and family cuddles in our bed with the girls on the weekend,’’ she said.

“Patrick always had my back. No matter what happened, what I wanted to do or where we were I knew I could always rely on him.

“I will miss his unconditional support.’’

Friends and colleagues gathered at to celebrate the life of Melbourne surgeon Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann in Ivanhoe. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Hundreds of mourners attended the emotional service. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Hundreds of friends and colleagues gathered for an emotional memorial service in Ivanhoe today heard how the couple first met at university after Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann immigrated from Germany to New Zealand.

They would eventually shift to Melbourne where the surgeon’s career flourished.

The service was held at the same venue where he proudly became an Australian citizen three years earlier.

“No matter what the task, he could turn his mind to it and get it done,’’ Mrs Baumberg said. “Patrick was the most capable person I know.

“(He) had a very strong personality and often saw things as black and white. I will miss our battles of will.’’

The service was held at the venue where Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann became a citizen three years ago. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Patrick could cook and clean, she said. He was a creator at heart. One of his greatest pleasures was staying up late to master the recipes in the Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book. He loved the outdoors. He surfed. He listened to Pearl Jam and R.E.M and could spend hours reading German car magazines on his iPad.

But if the surgeon always put his family first. His patients came a close second.

Colleagues spoke of a man who went above and beyond to ensure the comfort of others. He was a fierce patient advocate. He could swear at X-rays and sometimes grill staff who dropped the ball. But he could be just as carefree. He loved a chat, was funny, but never took himself too seriously.

Tributes flow for Dr Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann at Box Hill Hospital after he died following an attack at work. Picture: Nicole Garmston

There was little mention of the circumstances that led Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann’s death. Nor the man who is alleged to have taken it after he was asked to stop smoking by the door of the hospital foyer.

But respiratory physician Paul Fogetry came close to addressing the senselessness.

“It was a great shock what happened to Patrick,’’ he said. “It was a great shock for it to happen in a place where we all knew him and worked with him and collaborated with him.

“It will take all of us a long time to get over it. We probably never will. He will be impossible to replace.’’

It was perhaps his uncle Johanna Arleth, who flew from Germany to farewell his nephew, who summed it up in the most simple terms.

Any day with Patrick, he said, was a good day.

A scholarship named in honour of Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann will be launched in his memory.

An initiative of the Royal Australiasian College of Surgeons and The Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons, the first Cardiothoracic Young Achievers Award will be handed out in November.