Dr David Baxter - A true champion…
David Baxter was one of the finest. He was a champion athlete, champion doctor and a champion person to his wife, family, friends and strangers…
Dr David S. Baxter MBBS, B.Sc (Hons)
27th March 1977 – 2nd July 2010
We all come into this earth the same way. It is what we do with the time we have whilst we are here that sets us apart.
If David Baxter’s life was a 100m sprint he definitely would have been spoken about in the ilk of a Usain Bolt. People are born with special talents and characteristics but David’s single minded determination to achieve the tasks he set upon was what astounded all that he came into contact with. David’s track and field coach, John Quin, who has worked with and around the worlds best sports stars tells of Dave’s attention to detail being second to none and how Dave was the most goal orientated person he had ever come across.
“I remember a time travelling with the 1995 junior athletics team in New Zealand and looking across to see Dave reading a neurosurgery book. I asked him why he was reading this and his response was simply because one day that’s what I will be, a neurosurgeon.” At the time, David was fresh out of Ivanhoe Grammar School, but being the ambitious person he was, once he set his mind to something it was never out of his grasp.
Fast forward to 2010, 15 years after this bus journey and David was well on the way to achieving this long term goal. His achievements in this period were nothing short of incredible; degrees in Science and Medicine at Melbourne University, Trauma and Orthopaedic surgery at Oxford, articles published in medical journals, researcher in Stockholm (Karolinska Institute and University Hospital) and Melbourne (Monash University); finally culminating with his acceptance into the Neurosurgical program at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
He spoke with so much excitement of being accepted into a program, that saw only a handful picked from 100’s of Doctors applying. David not only aimed to complete neurosurgery training, but was also completing research for his thesis into Meningioma, a type of brain tumour, as part of his PhD with Monash University. There is no doubt he would have been an amazing neurosurgeon and the medical world has lost one of its brightest doctors.
“I had only known David for a couple of years when he told me about his melanoma. We collaborated on a meningioma research project at Karolinska, and David came here to learn a few techniques and to get input into his project. I was acting as his scientific mentor and soon became friends with David. When we met, we did not only talk science, but also electronic gadgets, and everyday issues. I admired his absolute positive attitude, energy and sharp mind. I visited him at the ward at Karolinska only a little more than 2 weeks before he passed away. He had problems walking, but certainly not talking and thinking. He had ideas about how to accumulate and disseminate knowledge from the scientific literature. He wanted to implement his ideas as soon as possible. This tells us about his internal energy, passion and mind. Although I have not known David for as long as many of his other friends, I will miss him tremendously.” Tomas Ekström (professor at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm).
“I have no doubt that he would have had a stellar career both as a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist. He was one of the brightest medical graduates that I have come across in my career and it is thus tragic that his life has been cut short at such a young age. His mind worked on a plane well above his peers. Imagine the potential for further discovery that we have lost and all of the wonderful work that he could have done helping his fellow man with neurosurgical problems including meningiomas which were his primary interest. We will do all we can to perpetuate his legacy” Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld, head of surgery at Monash University and director of neurosurgery at The Alfred
On the athletics track Dave was the ultimate competitor. He epitomised Pier De Coubertin’s ideals.“The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well”. He trained diligently, was humble in victory and defeat, and for those who took the time to get to know him he was a breath of fresh air in the often self centred world of track and field. Even after he retired, his emails and calls to friends offering support and encouragement were always forth coming. His sense of humour and ability to laugh with you and at himself always made him fun to be around.
David represented Australia indoors and out, on the world stage. His first major victory came as a junior when he won the rare sprint double over the 100m and 200m at the 1996 under 20 National championships. This victory saw him go onto compete in the World Junior Championship’s later that year in Sydney. David represented Australia also in the sprints events at the World University Championships in 1997 and 2001. His career best performance of 10.30 for the 100m saw him included in the World indoor and Outdoor championship’s team for 1999. This time still stands as the 22nd fastest time by an Australian of all time, and 7th fastest ever Victorian. His 200m time of 20.57 set in South Africa in 2000 stands at 17th on the all time Australian list and 5th best ever Victorian. These efforts are phenomenal when you think how many people compete in these blue ribbon events. The culmination of years of track and field dedication which began as a youngster at the Doncaster Little Athletics centre came in the 2002 Commonwealth Games where he picked up a bronze medal as part of the 4×100m relay team. Dave was an extremely popular member of Doncaster Athletics Club and has remained close friends with members till the day of his passing.
Cameron Paice, who ran with David at Doncaster, remembers a scrawny young boy running past him on the day they first competed. “Dave was a great competitor at club, national and international level who was always committed to Doncaster both on and off the track. He enjoyed assisting younger athletes during training and encouraged them to share his passion for the sport and realise their potential.” Over time they went on to become great friends, with Cameron counting David as one of the most compassionate and loyal people he has ever known.
Cameron was fortunate enough to visit David and his wife Judith in Stockholm recently, where he was receiving excellent treatment and care at the Karolinska Hospital. “Even in the late stages of his illness he was still his old self, upbeat and more concerned about the health and wellbeing of others. His memory will always live on in my family.”
Dave’s passing has affected his past team mates and continuing friends immensely…
“When I think of Dave Baxter, I immediately think of a loyal and true friend, someone who always put others before himself. He was my training partner who I could always rely on for encouragement and support. I admired his zest for life, his passion for athletics and his ability to excel in whatever he set his mind to. I will miss him.” Lauren Hewitt (World Championship finalist 200m)
“He was a kind hearted guy with great athletic talent a super sharp mind who didn’t rely on his gifts or rest on his laurels. He pursued his dreams and ambitions tirelessly and achieved so much in such a short amount of time. “Carpe Diem” is so appropriate for Dave as he really did “seize the day”. It’s a huge loss to bear, the passing of Dave. Dave was someone who gave so much and yet had so much more to give. He will live on in our hearts and minds and continue to inspire us through our memories of him and what he taught us with his own life.” Luke Adams (6th Beijing Olympic’s 20km walk)
“To dedicate oneself to a single career and have success is admirable. To achieve greatness at everything you dedicate yourself to – that is extraordinary. That is exactly who Dave was. He was an extraordinary person, a true friend and always valued team mate. His self assurance and courage to follow his chosen path – even when it was not always the easiest road to travel - inspired and amazed me. Whenever Dave and I had the chance to share a meal, Dave always had the low-down on the place to be and the best meal in town. I always walked away from those meals, looking forward to the next one – I will miss you, mate. I feel extremely fortunate to have been one of the lucky – to have been inspired and humbled by who I know will forever remain one of the best men I have ever known. Rest in peace.” Matt Shirvington (national record holder 100m 1998-2003)
Once contracted, David knew that this cancer would be with him for the remainder of his life, yet his determination and will to fight was incredible. In the midst of heavy treatment Dave still tweeted and facebooked his friends with positive words and information and once said “remember all melanoma can be a deadly illness the best treatment is prevention”, proving him a doctor to the end.
The world lost one of its finest on July 2nd 2010. In the words of David Baxter “everyday in every place should feel like a new day is a world of opportunity complete within your grasp. Go get hold of it”…God knows Dave did….
David is survived by his wife Judith, mother Gillian, brothers Stephen and Alan and sisters Christine and Anne.
Thanks to his good mate Cameron Paice in helping with this tribute.