Dr David Alfred "Dave" THOMPSON

1946-2025
Doctor David Alfred Thompson (Dave), died unexpectedly in Gainesville Florida, USA, on September 26, 2025, aged 77. David was born in London (England) and emigrated at an early age with his parents to Lower Hutt. They initially settled in Wainuiomata where David attended Primary school. Dave then attended Hutt Valley High School. He did his medical intermediate at Victoria University and gained admission to the University of Otago School of Medicine. His final year of medical school was completed at Wellington Public Hospital. He then spent a year as a rotating house surgeon at Wellington Public Hospital and Hutt Hospital,and obtained his New Zealand medical licence.
During his fourth year of medical school David joined a group of fellow medical students who had arranged extern positions at hospitals in the United States, during their New Zealand summer holidays. Dave's position was at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. While there he met a nurse, Cynthia Harris (Cindy). Cindy traveled to New Zealand the following year and they were married. Their first child, Claire, was born at Hutt Hospital. After Dave had obtained his New Zealand medical licence, he and Cindy returned to the United States. Dave then interned at St Luke's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and completed a family residency program at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He then sat and obtained a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. He began general practice in Cindy's hometown of Archbold, Ohio, and added daughters Susan and Heather. In 1998, after 21 years in practice in Ohio, David and Cindy moved to Gainesville, Florida, to be closer to family and practiced there for a further 20 years before retirement in 2019. Dave was very much loved by his patients. A typical online patient evaluation from a patient of David's is: "Cannot say enough superlatives about Dr David Thompson. First, he is an outstanding doctor in terms of expertise and decision making. For example, there was a time when Dr. Thompson and a specialist he had referred me to had different opinions. Well, the test results came in, and Dr Thompson was right!" And second, "he is caring, makes you very comfortable, and takes time to answer your questions and explain. So in addition to his greatness in medicine, he is a great human being. I am very grateful to him."
Dave also incorporated Obstetrics into his practice and by the time he retired in 2024, he had delivered over 1000 babies! Dave remained an enthusiastic alumnus of Otago University Medical school and enjoyed returning to New Zealand for reunions, the most recent being the 50th reunion of his graduation, held in the Bay of Islands. At the time of his death, he was preparing to attend the 60th reunion in Dunedin. In addition, he kept close contact with his former Otago University flat mates and medical school classmates.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, daughters, Claire Kern (Matthew), Susan Mears (Ryan), Heather Krzykowski (Kevin), and nine grandchildren.