“PETER has been our doctor for more than 25 years. Some 15 years ago Peter told Jan and I about the work he was doing with the Clown Doctor’s program.
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Shortly after we began the annual Clown Doctor’s Ball. We attended clown rounds at Westmead Children’s Hospital and saw the magic when the Clown Doctors made the childrens’ faces light up with smiles and laughter. The relief on the parents face and the staff had their day brightened as well.
We shared a passion for training clowns to work in the childrens wards and this year, a special fund was opened to fully support that training. I know Peter was thrilled with this.
So many stories, so many memories, where to start, where to finish? Up there somewhere is a big ray of sunshine caused by so many smiles and peals of uncontrollable laughter.
Goodbye Peter, doctor, friend and mentor
The ball will continue as this is what Peter would have wished. Save the date on September 6.
Thank you for your support. This is number 15 for the annual Clown Ball.”
Paul and Jan Stevens-King, Clown Doctor supporters in the Southern Highlands.
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"The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network is saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Peter Spitzer.
“As the founder of the Humour Foundation, and as Dr Fruit Loop, he brought joy to many thousands of children and their families.
We shared his holistic approach to healing and staff will remember many jokes shared over the years.
His legacy will live on through the laughter and smiles that Clown Doctors inspire each and every day at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.”
The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network chief executive Elizabeth Koff.
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"On behalf of the members of the Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong I would like to pass our condolences to the family, friends and supporters of the late Dr Peter Spitzer (Dr Fruit Loop).
Peter has visited our club on numerous occasions showing us the style of humour he administered to hospital patients.
Our club has given significant support to the Clown Doctors and regularly assisted with fund-raising activities.
He will be sorely missed by many.
Our hope is that others will continue the great work of Peter, however this will be a huge act to follow."
Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong president Trevor Fair.
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“A sad time for many people in the Southern Highlands and further afield too with the news of the passing of our Dr Peter Spitzer.
My 89-year-old nan credits Dr Spitzer and his holisitc healthcare for ‘getting her through.’
We are using Dr Spitzer’s training he gave us of humour and inspiration every week in our two-day hospices here in Canberra.
A life well lived.”
Comment by Thelma Johnson on the Southern Highland News Facebook page.
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“I’m deeply saddened to hear of Dr Spitzer’s passing.
He was a wonderful man, apart from being an extremly good general practitioner.
He will be remembered partciularly for forming Clown Doctors with Jean Paul Bell.
What he did with Clown Doctors was nothing short of inspirational.
He has been a part of the Southern Highlands for a long time and he will be sadly missed by his medical colleagues and many hundreds of children and their families.
Speaking as a former patient of Dr Spitzer, I feel his loss on a personal basis and I will pay a tribute to Dr Spitzer at our next council meeting this coming Wednesday.”
Mayor Juliet Arkwright.
From Facebook:
Read more tributes and post one yourself here.
