Dennis Van Meurs graduated from St Thomas's Hospital in 1937 and at first intended becoming an ophthalmic surgeon. However, he developed an interest in thyroid operations and decided on a career in general surgery. He was appointed to Kent County Council in 1940 and in 1948 became a consultant surgeon at Farnborough Hospital, Kent, where, apart from a period on a short service commission as a wing commander in the RAF, he spent his professional life. Later in his surgical career he became interested in genitourinary surgery. Van Meuren was an accomplished sportsman, playing golf, squash and tennis for St Thomas's, shooting at Bisley and competing at Wimbledon in both the men's and the mixed doubles tournaments. He was also interested in playing the piano and in gardening and, after retirement, travelled a good deal with his wife, Midge, who survived him when he died in 1993.