David Fletcher was born in Beccles, Derbyshire, in 1930. He completed his medical education in Leeds and specialised in surgery, particularly in colorectal surgery. He was appointed consultant surgeon to Scarborough Hospital in 1968, where he became chairman of the Scarborough district medical staff committee. He was one of the founders of St Catherine's Hospice, which opened in 1985, and was its first president. He was a keen gardener and regularly opened his garden at Gristhorpe Hall to raise funds for the hospice. He loved photography. He was obliged to retire due to ill health at the age of 62. Predeceased by his wife Joan, he left a son, Christopher, who became professor of pathology at Harvard, a daughter, Sarah, and four grandchildren. He died on 24 November 1998.