John Alan East qualified in medicine in 1938 having trained at Guy's Hospital Medical School. He took the Conjoint Diploma in 1937 and the College Fellowship in 1939. He worked as consultant surgeon to the South East Metropolitan Hospitals Board in London. On moving to the USA he became surgeon to the Ira Davenport Hospital in Bath, New York State. He was a member of the BMA and the New York State Medical Society. He died on 14 November 1977 survived by a son.