David Morton was born in Wauchope, New South Wales, on 9 May 1929, the son of a teacher. He achieved a maximum pass in the Leaving Certificate from Sydney Boys High School and commenced medicine at the University of Sydney in 1946. His older brother Max and sister Marion were both prosectors in anatomy there. David’s first year marks made him the family’s third prosector — a unique achievement. During his obstetric term at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, he met his future wife Dorothy Ironside.
David was a talented painter and woodworker, and he applied these skills to make presents for his grandchildren. He coped with his final illness of pancreatic cancer in his typical fashion — remaining positive and inspiring to the end, and dying peacefully at home on 6 March 2012. David was extremely modest about his many achievements and was very family-oriented. He is survived by his three children John (an orthopaedic surgeon), Robert (a general practitioner) and Janette (a physiotherapist), nine grandchildren and one great grandchild; his granddaughter Susan graduated in medicine earlier this year. We were all privileged to have been part of his life.
- Alan D Hewson