Dr Peter Steele

Peter Steele was born in Scunthorpe to Arthur and Margery, the second of five children.  The family moved to Norwich in Peter’s early childhood where he spent the majority of his early years.

He attended Norwich School where he excelled academically. Encouraged by his uncle Russell Taylor, an alumnus of Queens’ College, Peter won a place to study Medicine at Queens’ College, Cambridge in 1963.

Peter loved Cambridge and threw himself into every aspect of life as an undergraduate, playing table tennis, joining the judo club and once even crossing the River Cam on stilts! He also famously once walked from King’s Lynn to Cambridge, winning notoriety in the local press.

Always academically curious, Peter completed a PhD researching Bacteriophage before completing his medical studies. He gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1972, training at the Middlesex Hospital and the Central Middlesex Hospital where he met his wife, Evelyn.

After qualifying as a doctor, Peter worked first in Ipswich and then in Essex before a chance conversation with Professor Greaves led him back to Cambridge to lecture in Pathology. Peter became Tutorial Bursar and Fellow of Queens’ College, and the family enjoyed a number of very happy years in Cambridge.

In 1980, looking for a new challenge, Peter left his beloved Cambridge when he was offered the position of Consultant Pathologist in Chester.

Now with two young children, Peter and Evelyn settled in Chester, living close to the city centre and making many lifelong friends.

Peter enjoyed his job and investigated many complicated cases over the years, including regularly attending the Coroners Court and Crown Court to give evidence as an expert witness. This responsibility always weighed heavily on him and after 24 years, he took the decision to retire when he turned 60.

In his retirement, Peter enjoyed watching sport and playing snooker, walking in the Welsh mountains and spending time with his grandchildren.

He also took the opportunity to travel and, as a reluctant flyer, discovered the joy of cruises! He and Evelyn visited destinations across the globe, including the North Pole, Antarctica, China, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

Peter lived life to the full and remained academically and intellectually engaged with medicine throughout his life.

Peter passed away peacefully after a short illness on 28^th January 2023 at the age of 79. He is survived by his loving wife Evelyn, daughter Sarah and son Alasdair, as well as four grandchildren of whom he was very proud.