It was truly shocking to learn the tragic news about Mr Niall Kirkpatrick. I heard the tears in Sam's (Mr Kirkpatrick's PA) voice when she phoned me, and mine followed shortly after. I met with Mr Kirkpatrick many times throughout the last five years, and last I met him was in October 2021. I was supposed to undergo a procedure on 31.1.2022. Each time we met he always was in friendly, relaxed mood. Never rushing, never judgmental, kind, compassionate and trustworthy. Mr Niall Kirkpatrick was admired for his talented, professional, surgical skills, for his mentoring abilities and his voluntary work at the Facing the World charity organisation. Mr Kirkpatrick is a monumental loss not only to his family, friends, colleagues, patients, but to the world of medicine too. This unique, gifted gentleman will be greatly missed.