David Robert Ernest Reeve studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital and graduated MB BS in 1964, passing the Conjoint Diploma the same year. He became casualty surgeon to St Charles's Hospital, London, lecturer in anatomy to King's College, London and surgical registrar to Bart's. He was then appointed senior lecturer at the London Hospital. He was a member of the BMA and the Anatomical Society. He was the author of papers on *The healing of tympanic membrane, Acute and chronic ulceration of the colon* and *The control of mitosis*. He died on 1 December 1980 and a service was held at Bart's on 5 December.