Anthony Keith Hedley born on October 2, 1943 in Durban, South Africa passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children on April 19, 2021.
Tony was a world renowned orthopedic surgeon, author, researcher, and educator specializing in joint reconstruction and replacement. He received his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1968. In 1977 he received his registration as Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon from the South African Medical and Dental Council. Doctor Hedley is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. He completed his fellowship in orthopedic surgery at St Thomas Hospital, London, and his postdoctoral studies in Orthopedic Surgery and Bio-Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1982 he moved to Phoenix Arizona and joined the Institute for Bone and Joint Disorders later developing the Hedley Orthopedic Institute. He performed thousands of hip and knee replacements until his retirement last year. He was a master technician and loved by his patients for his kindness and compassion.
Throughout his career, Dr Hedley was a researcher, implant designer, internationally recognized speaker, and beloved teacher. He received numerous awards and honors including the Otto Aufranc and John Charnley award from the Hip Society. He trained 70 fellows who revere “the Boss” for the knowledge, skills, compassion, and humanism that he imparted to them.
He brightened every room he entered with his infectious smile and fabulous sense of humor.
His motto was to “always do my best.”
Tony was an avid fisherman, hunter, and aviary expert. He holds three world record fish catches. He was an avid reader and loved his daily crossword puzzles. Tony loved spending time with his family in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Soldotna, Alaska where they fished together on the Kenai. They opened a fishing lodge there on the river where they enjoyed summers together.
He is survived by 2 adult children from a prior marriage, Damian and Lisa, his 3 grandchildren, Benjamin, Graydon, and Holdon, his wife of 20 years, Jennifer, and their 3 children Alexis, Jackson, and Kate Olivia.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix at 10:40 AM. Please be seated by 10:30 AM if attending.
A Youtube link is available for those unable to attend: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCp3WzQ513Qzu4-NSx7atMfw
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Toni Johnston
I never had the pleasure of meeting Tony but he was very nice and kind to my daugher, Amanda Everts, and she spoke highly of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Elizabeth Baker
I’m so saddened to hear that my wonderful hip revision surgeon, Dr.Hedley, that replaced my left hip in Jan. 2018 and replaced my right hip with revision in Jan. of 2020 has left us. I just saw him in Jan. 2021 and wished him a good retirement and hoped that 77 would be his lucky year. I send my condolences and prayers to all his family and am so despondent that he is gone so soon. He surely saved my life and got me out of pain. Such a nice kind man and gentle caring Dr. I now can walk again without pain because of him. I’m so glad many young Dr’s were lucky to learn under him and receive all his knowledge.
RIP Tony and I’ll never forget what you did to make my life so much better!
Eileen and Tony Yeung
Dear Jenny and family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Tony was an extraordinary and talented surgeon. The medical community will miss him dearly. You are in our prayers.
cesare faldini
I attended Tony’s surgical activity in 1991 and 1993 in St.Luke Hospital. I was a young student, he was probably the most important hip and knee surgeon around. Despite the difference of age and position he treated me aways as a young friend! His teachings remained in my mind since now, and was a great pleasure every year at AAOS spend some time together. Cesare Faldini, MD
Full professor of Orthopaedics and trauma surgery
Chairmen, Department of Orthopaedics
University of Bologna, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (italy)
Ezio Policastro
I had the opportunity to meet Tony during my 25 years career in Howmedica and Stryker, many times in Phoenix and around Europe. I had him as special guest in Italy visiting the Gaia wine cellar in Barbaresco tasting great wine. I remember his comment when he was in the cellar in front of the wine barrels: “this is like to bring a kid in a toys store”. I will keep a great memory of him
Luciano Cattani
Drear Headley family : you might have heard my name Luciano Cattani from Italy. I had the luck to share the best perio of his human and professional life. We met when he was 41 ( 1 year older than me, and he was already a giant of the International orthopedics. Since then i had the luck to work toghether with him , and his wide success was parallel of my career and endeavour in the Ortho Business. we made toghether some of the most difficult things, like steering the ItalianOrthopedicws toward a totally new concept of Joint replacement. Further, when i had a slow down in my life and career he helped to recover, toghether with the other best friendd Ron Lawson.
Two giants of the world of Orthopedics, two giants of human being. loyal, active, professional, fully committed, enjoying life and family, a great, great, great guy. I’ll miss him so much. form Rome Luciano
Melanie Milliner and Family
Our sincerest condolences to Tony’s beloved family and friends. Do hope it won’t be long before you only smile at his memories. My late husband, Stephen, and Tony did their surgical residencies with Dr. Johan Van Reenen in Johannesburg, both came away with brilliant “hands” and technical skills, ending up in practice together here in Phoenix in the 80’s. Your Tony was a brilliant, fun and adventurous man. We wish you comfort and long lives.
Melanie Milliner and Family
Our sincerest condolences to Tony’s beloved family and friends. Do hope it won’t be long before you only smile at his memories. My late husband, Stephen, and Tony did their surgical residencies with Dr. Johan Van Reenen in Johannesburg, both came away with brilliant “hands” and technical skills, ending up in practice together here in Phoenix in the 80’s. Your Tony was a brilliant, fun and adventurous man. We wish you comfort and long lives.
Joel Graeter
Many years ago, during the 1980’s and 1990’s, I had the great honor of working in surgery with Dr Hedley at St. Luke’s Hospital. I was humbled by his abilities and the good that he did for others. He had a willingness to share his knowledge with the medical community and help train physicians and nurses. I was most impressed by his outgoing personality and his love for his fellow man. He made an outstanding impression on me that has carried through to this day. He made the world a better place.
Marius van Reenen
I do not know the whole Hedley family, but my memories of Tony, his wife at the time (Leslie) and his children Lisa and Damian, go back to the early- and mid- seventies in South Africa. I was just a young boy, a few years older than Lisa.
Tony was a registrar and worked at the Natal Spruit hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, where my father, Dr Johan van Reenen, was a consultant and head of orthopaedics. There was a whole “gang” of students (registrars) that were often invited to our home in Parkview Johannesburg, including Tony, Roger Pillemer, Tony Ghiselli, Stephen Milliner and quite a few others.
My father was very fond of Tony, whom he considered as one of his very best students and I remember how proud he was of Tony’s success in the USA, but also how much he missed him.
One particular memory of the Hedley family was going away on holiday with them, to Plettenberg Bay in April of 1975. Lisa was still very young. I remember Tony’s love for fishing and come rain or shine, he was out there with his rod. He even convinced my father to walk to the Robbeberg point, quite a hike, and stay overnight on a fishing excursion. I think it shows my dad’s fondness for Tony, as he himself had no love for fishing whatsoever.
I am absolutely certain that my father and Tony will be sitting in the hereafter “talking orthopaedics”.
From the Van Reenen family to the Hedleys, particularly Lisa and Damian, our sincerest condolences for your loss. May the Lord comfort you in this difficult time.
All the best and God Bless!
Marius van Reenen
Janet Priset Sandino
I just found out about Dr. Hedley’s passing and wanted to express my deepest condolences to the family….A wonderful surgeon and a warm and compassionate human being..I always looked forward to my yearly visits with him.
Herbert J. Henderson
Dr. Hedley was my orthopedic surgeon from 2000 to 2016 when we moved from Arizona to Colorado. He performed my joint replacements for both knees and hips, as well as several revisions along the way. Obviously, my wife Betty and I got to know Doctor Hedley quite well. I enjoyed every minute of my long association with him as his patient. What a delightful person and so very professional in how he dealt with patients. Betty and I so much miss Doctor Hedley and his delightful sense of humor. And the world’s peoples surely misses him as well, as one of this world’s most outstanding members of the human race. What a guy!!
don hough
Lots of great memories of Dr Hedley he was the master of Knee and Hip Replacements, that Sport Coat was a relic we both had the same one and would tease him. His dedicated staff treated me with respect and could call anytime if needed. His shared talents will be used by many who trained with him..RIP Dr. will be hard to find a replacement, no pun intended..your friend don hough
Deb Bates
I’m saddened to hear of Dr Hedley passing, my condolences to his family, 20 some years and I believe he’s one of the only Drs that have ever really listened to me, If it wasn’t for him I do believe I wouldn’t be walking ,a wonderful person truely compassionate! my heart is with you all ! He will be missed by me ! Hugs Deb Bates