Born in St Albans in 1941, John Lewis qualified from the Middlesex Hospital in 1964. He then did much of his training at St Mary's Hospital, where he developed techniques involving the use of ultrasound in peripheral arterial disease. He was appointed to Northwick Park Hospital in 1974. He was Chairman of the medical staff committee, head of surgery, clinical director and played a major part in the management of the hospital. He was Hunterian Professor in 1972. He decided to retire in 1999, and within a few days was found to have a carcinoma of the lung, which led to his death on 19 August 1999. He was fond of gadgets and fast cars, and had a chateau in Aquitaine, where he played with farm machinery. He was an accomplished organist, owning two impressive electronic organs. He left his wife, Sally, son Chris, and daughter, Kath.