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A Tribute to Gier Grotte

Geir Johan Grøtte FRCS(Eng), FECTB

 7th December 1943 – 24th January 2026

Geir Johan Grøtte was born in Bergen, Norway where he grew up alongside his parents and brother. He enjoyed the outdoors and particularly playing football and skiing. Deciding on studying medicine led him to Newcastle. His training in Cardiothoracic surgery included 2 years in Shotley Bridge, following which he spent a year as a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital where he studied isovolumetric relaxation and subendocardial blood flow during cardiac surgery.  He returned as a Senior Registrar in Cardiff for 5 years before being appointed as a Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1983. He served in this role for 25 years before retiring in 2008.

He was known for his serious demeanour, and it is fair to say he was a man of few words! His surgical skills were methodical and meticulous. He maintained high standards both in and outside the operating theatre and expected nothing less of his trainees. As Training Programme Director for the North West Cardiothoracic Surgery Rotation he was responsible for the education and training of numerous consultant surgeons practising today, thus his legacy lives on.

Outside of work he was devoted to his wife Christine and his 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He indulged in his passion for cars including Jaguars, Pontiacs and Corvettes and also music - being a huge fan of Pink Floyd. He enjoyed his annual vacations in his beloved Norway with his extended family and relaxed by absorbing the stunning vistas whilst reading and smoking his pipe.

Rest in Peace GJG

Author: Farah Bhatti

Remembering Gier:

Mr Grotte was my first Consultant supervisor in the UK when I started as British Council fellow in Manchester Royal Infirmary . a man of few words but great skills. He was the one who demonstrated the importance of peer reference and respect that generation of surgeons had for each other when he decided to offer me the position after a phone call with my British council sponsor Prof Geoff Smith. He gave his senior registrars the freedom as well as support and mentorship to progress with their skills. Rest in Peace Mr Grotte. Sridhar Rathinam

It was with a sense of despair that I came to know about Geir Grotte’s passing. He was one of my favourite mentors in Cardiac surgery and for that I am most grateful. He was witty, friendly and was fearless in speaking up where he felt convinced about truth. He will be missed by a large number of his trainees as well as so many patients whom he served with absolute care. My heartfelt condolences to Christine and the rest of the bereaved family. Farewell Geir and my prayers are there for the departed soul’s eternal peace. Unni Nair

To him I owe my life to my triple bypass surgery 19 years ago. Indeed, a man of few words. At my six week follow up he said, “Get on with the rest of your life.”. I did my best sir, and am now an active 81 years ago old. Rest in peace. Graham Eagland