Martin Alan Menter was born on 30 October 1941 in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, to a South African father and an Irish-Jewish mother whom his father met while studying at Trinity College, Dublin. The family later settled in South Africa, where Alan attended Parktown Boys’ High School in Johannesburg. It was there that his lifelong passion for sport - particularly rugby - took root, alongside a remarkable academic career that would eventually make him world-renowned in an entirely different field.

While studying medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Menter excelled both academically and athletically. A flyhalf of considerable skill and intelligence, he captained the Wits rugby team and later led the University of Pretoria (Tukkies) while completing his medical training. Known for his sharp tactical sense, reliable kicking, and calm leadership, he became one of the most respected university players of his era. Menter also showcased his all-round athletic ability by representing South African Universities in cricket against New Zealand in 1961.

In 1968, while still a medical student, Menter’s rugby achievements were rewarded when he was selected for the Springbok tour to France. Reflecting years later, he admitted, “I went to that Springboks trial with very few expectations because I had been disappointed many times in the past, making it to the final 30 and not being chosen - but I was selected to go to France.” On that tour, South Africa won both Tests, and although he never played in an official Test match, Menter represented his country with distinction, contributing to a successful campaign. His provincial rugby was played for Northern Transvaal (the Blue Bulls), where his reliability at flyhalf earned admiration in one of the most competitive domestic environments in world rugby.

Following his rugby career, Menter completed his medical degree at Wits and specialised in dermatology, training at the University of Pretoria and later in London at Guy’s Hospital and St John’s Hospital for Diseases of the Skin. He eventually settled in Dallas, Texas, in 1975, where he became one of the world’s leading dermatologists, particularly recognised for his pioneering work in the treatment of psoriasis. He has served as Chairman of the Division of Dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center, Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and founder and first President of the International Psoriasis Council.

Professor Alan Menter’s story is one of rare dual excellence - a man who reached the heights of South African rugby before becoming a globally respected medical specialist. His journey from the rugby fields of Johannesburg and Pretoria to the lecture halls and clinics of Dallas stands as a testament to discipline, perseverance, and a deep passion for excellence in every field he entered.