If indeed the person you refer to was a Doctor as well, I am saddened to hear he has passed on. I also heard this story personally from him while sitting in the RH seat of a Hudson bomber which he also owned. I had the opportunity to stay at his property on the Qld NT border during the 60's.
He also owned a Ryan and I spent many a time in that, and his Mate's Ryan wich had a Gypsy engine. He wrote an interesting article in an AOPA magazine some years back about a NSW trophy, (Cup), and dedicated it to the person who introduced me to flying as a lad in a Fairchild.
Can you confirm his Yacht was a footpath, so I may slot these memories into the most important gold catagory.
Cheers.