Sons pay tribute to ‘superhero’ specialist who died after contracting Covid-19

A consultant who died after contracting coronavirus has been remembered as a “superhero dad” by his children.

Father-of-two Dr Peter Tun worked as an associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for more than 21 years.

The 62-year-old died in the intensive care unit at the hospital in Reading on Monday.

“Our family is immensely proud of our superhero dad,” his sons said in a statement.

To us, he was simply the best human we know and we will miss him every day

“He used to say ‘Treat all your patients like they are your own family’, and this speaks to the type of character that he had.

“To us, he was simply the best human we know and we will miss him every day.”

The specialist’s colleagues have also paid tribute to him, with one calling him “a mentor, a father, and a friend”.

Dr Jonathan Mamo, who worked alongside Dr Tun in the hospital’s neurorehabilitation unit, said: “Peter was like a father to all of us in our department in Reading.

“Despite being a calm and soft-spoken individual he always knew what to say and when to say it.”

He said Dr Tun, who cared for patients with complex neurological conditions, was a “great believer in the power of love” who “loved to help people”.

Dr Mamo added: “His desk is now empty and we all miss his extraordinary presence.

“To all of us on the neurorehabilitation unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital he wasn’t just a colleague; he was a mentor, a father, and a friend.”

Dr Tun, who came to the UK from Burma in 1994, was promoted to associate specialist in 2004, and was a member and contributor to the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Professor Christine Collin, who worked alongside Dr Tun at the hospital for 12 years, called him an “unfailingly kind, caring and gentle” man who was “much loved and respected” by both patients and colleagues.

“Peter had the necessary compassion, respect and knowledge to help support the clinical needs of people with severe neurological disability, and had the useful attribute of always presenting a smiling face to the world,” she said.

“His family were his main joy in life, but he was also a talented artist, and could produce beautiful watercolours of his homeland.”

Steve McManus, chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The passing of Peter has sent a wave of grief throughout the entire organisation.

“Tributes have been pouring in from staff who have worked with Peter over the years and he will be sorely missed.

“On behalf of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s family, friends and colleagues.”