Johannesburg - He may have been dubbed “The Butcher of Rosebank” for his botched operations, but to some, orthopaedic surgeon Wynne Lieberthal - who died on Sunday - was a brilliant, gentle and caring man.
Lieberthal, once a prominent surgeon with a private practice at Rosebank Clinic, died of a heart attack in Mpumalanga.
Lieberthal had a lengthy history of complaints dating back to his first run-in with the Health Professions Council of South Africa in 2000.
While many people hated Lieberthal following their botched operations, several residents of Mpumalanga, where he settled after he moved there from Joburg, were saddened by news of his death.
Condolences and tributes to him were conveyed on the Mpumalanga Facebook page. “Today Sabie mourns the loss of a great man! Not only was he our doctor but he was our friend. Dr Wynne Lieberthal - we will remember him as the doctor who became everyone’s friend.
“A brilliant mind who was passionate about helping and saving. He lived to serve. May God bless and comfort his family,” read a general message.
Jenny Moolman wrote: “Very sad news. Dr Lieberthal, you will be missed by many. You were a very gentle, caring man, and one of the few doctors in today’s day and age who would see and attend to your patients any time of the day, even on Sundays. RIP and condolences to your family.”
Another of Lieberthal’s admirers was Winston Wiggill.
“This is very sad news. What a wonderful doctor he was to my mom and me, as well as to my boys. Always willing to go that extra mile. A very caring man. RIP doc. My sympathy and condolences to his family.”
The Star