Douglas Michael Pitman
Douglas Michael Pitman
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas Pitman on Saturday 6 September 2025, after a long illness. Doug was a beloved husband, father, brother and friend, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Doug was passionate about all things classic — from elegant yachts to vintage cars, he had a lifelong love of timeless design and craftsmanship. He also cherished his family above all else, and his warmth, humour, and kindness enriched the lives of everyone around him.
Doug was so proud of DP Medical Systems, the company he founded and spent his life building into the successful business it is today. He took great joy in seeing it grow and thrive, in supporting his team, and in the lifelong friendships he formed with many of his customers. For Doug, it was always about the people and the care he could offer them.
Doug’s legacy lives on both in the hearts of his family and in the company he founded, where his passion, vision, and dedication continue to inspire.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Royal Marsden, a charity close to his heart, supporting the care and research that made such a difference to Doug and so many others.
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Post your condolences or share your Memories.
October 15, 2025
As President of Global Surgical Corporation I had a 28 year business relationship with Doug that also became a lasting friendship. He did so much to help both my company and myself. Always happy to both give and take advice. Lots of happy memories attending trade shows together. What a super salesman. Will miss our recent chats.
October 6, 2025
Shocked to hear of Doug's passing, very sad news.
What a true gentleman.
Doug, I will always appreciate your support, genuine interest and attention. I will miss our chats and your helpful insights. Thank you for everything.
What a true gentleman.
Doug, I will always appreciate your support, genuine interest and attention. I will miss our chats and your helpful insights. Thank you for everything.
October 5, 2025
I first met Doug in 1989 when he brought in a new surgical microscope for me to try. At the time, I was working in a small basement surgery, and poor Doug — not the most physically imposing man — had to drag this extremely heavy microscope and stand down the stairs himself. By the time he reached the bottom, he looked so exhausted that I felt obliged to buy the microscope from him there and then.
That encounter was the start of a long and happy friendship. Over the years, Doug patiently entertained my endless design quirks, always finding ingenious mechanical solutions to every challenge I set him. In the end, I must have bought more than 25 microscopes from him — each one improved and refined by his thoughtful input.
Doug would often spend a day at our courses, introducing the microscopes to postgraduates and students with his usual warmth and enthusiasm. Even after his diagnosis, he still came to demonstrate for the students — a reflection of his dedication and generosity of spirit.
He was a truly kind, heartwarming, and generous man, whose belief that anything is possible remains deeply missed
That encounter was the start of a long and happy friendship. Over the years, Doug patiently entertained my endless design quirks, always finding ingenious mechanical solutions to every challenge I set him. In the end, I must have bought more than 25 microscopes from him — each one improved and refined by his thoughtful input.
Doug would often spend a day at our courses, introducing the microscopes to postgraduates and students with his usual warmth and enthusiasm. Even after his diagnosis, he still came to demonstrate for the students — a reflection of his dedication and generosity of spirit.
He was a truly kind, heartwarming, and generous man, whose belief that anything is possible remains deeply missed
October 4, 2025
Doug was a very friendly kind man , our Daughter Is married to his Nephew Peter , we always remember pool parties for our Grandaughter at his house where he was the lifeguard Happy memories.
Doug you will be sadly missed xx
Doug you will be sadly missed xx
October 4, 2025
What can I say about Doug I have know Doug for many years as my twin sister is married to his Nephew Peter Moorcock he was the most genuine lovely men you could ever meet, him and Heather would always welcome us to their home for days in the summer to use there pool, and I remember one day I knock down one of there trees on the drive as drove into it lol we miss you Doug and I will definitely have a wine for you Tuesday as I know you like a wine like me lol sending my love to Heather and the girls and hopefully one day we will meet again love Joanne Paul jamie and Connor xxxxxx
October 4, 2025
On behalf of Francoise and myself, we send our deepest sympathies to Heather, Samantha, Christina, Jenny and Jonathan. Like Michael, Bernard and Kevin, I was at school with Doug and fortunately we kept in touch over the subsequent 55 years. Especially memorable were our Group holidays together in Italy and Greece. Doug and I also went somewhere in Spain, possibly Benidorm. I also remember with affection the Pitman home in Weybridge. We were always made welcome by Doug's parents. In more recent years, we so admired Dougs fortitude and strength of character fighting the illness. He refused to be beaten by it. He was courageous to the end. God bless him and his family.
October 4, 2025
Great man great life, an achiever. Pleasure to have known you Doug. Now rest in peace. Derek
October 1, 2025
Doug, you introduced me as a young endo to my first scope. Never looked back,and cant work without it.
Nearly joined you following an mi 6weeks ago. I look forward to a good chat on the other side.You transformed clinical practice setting up DP medical.
Favourable winds.
Mark from Jersey
Nearly joined you following an mi 6weeks ago. I look forward to a good chat on the other side.You transformed clinical practice setting up DP medical.
Favourable winds.
Mark from Jersey
September 30, 2025
I worked as Doug’s PA for years loved working for him and the company, will we truly missed.
September 30, 2025
Shocked and so saddened by this terrible news yet overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege of working with Doug, for all that he did and all that he modelled throughout his outstanding career.
Doug's role was utterly transformational, opening our eyes to the realities of practice under magnification and raising the bar, improving our lives, posture, intellectual fascination; helping us to perform in ways and with understanding we could not have dreamed of before. Your team was testament to your customer and patient centred, gentle, pragmatic and quality orientated approach.
Thank you Doug so much for all that you have given us. Your legacy lives on and we shall miss your gentle wisdom and kindness very much.
Doug's role was utterly transformational, opening our eyes to the realities of practice under magnification and raising the bar, improving our lives, posture, intellectual fascination; helping us to perform in ways and with understanding we could not have dreamed of before. Your team was testament to your customer and patient centred, gentle, pragmatic and quality orientated approach.
Thank you Doug so much for all that you have given us. Your legacy lives on and we shall miss your gentle wisdom and kindness very much.
September 29, 2025
A true gentleman and a most helpful and generous man. He assisted me greatly, both in my practice and also made a huge contribution in developing the use of microscopes in endodontic teaching.
September 28, 2025
I first met Doug when we started at St George’s in 1963 some 62 years ago
He was a gentleman then and that never left him
I became an accountant and remember forming
D P Medical on Doug’s
Kitchen table
I via my firm acted for Doug Heather and the company until my retirement in 2015
Doug and I kept in regular contact right to the end my wife Gina and I will miss him forever
He was a gentleman then and that never left him
I became an accountant and remember forming
D P Medical on Doug’s
Kitchen table
I via my firm acted for Doug Heather and the company until my retirement in 2015
Doug and I kept in regular contact right to the end my wife Gina and I will miss him forever
September 28, 2025
My earliest memories include playing table tennis at the bungalow as well as rounders and pushing the Sam 1 car around on our many family gatherings. In Kingswood it’s was pool parties including Michelle getting Uncle Doug the lifeguard t-shirt and whistle, which at Chloe’s birthday party all the kids thought Uncle Doug was the actual lifeguard! Uncle Doug showed Layla how to dive (which she shows everyone and always shares that her great Uncle Doug taught her), he always had a joke or a humorous story to share. We were all very fond of him and we will all miss him. Love Pete, Michelle, Chloe & Layla x
September 26, 2025
As a teenager, Doug was always there to make sure we got home safely after nights out and late night flights — our trusted taxi driver and protector.
Later, when I had children, his kindness shone through again. He was their lifeguard at the pool, teaching them to swim, building them a wooden car to race around the garden, and above all, listening to their dreams with encouragement and belief.
Thank you, Doug, for the love, care, and inspiration you gave so freely to my family. You were a truly great man in our lives, and we will always remember you.
The Lovell family xxx
Later, when I had children, his kindness shone through again. He was their lifeguard at the pool, teaching them to swim, building them a wooden car to race around the garden, and above all, listening to their dreams with encouragement and belief.
Thank you, Doug, for the love, care, and inspiration you gave so freely to my family. You were a truly great man in our lives, and we will always remember you.
The Lovell family xxx
September 26, 2025
A true Gentleman, that made huge contribution in the medical industry. He was passionate about his work and looked for the best in people.
September 26, 2025
Doug was an amazing business colleague and friend over 50 years. His dry sense of humour brought fun to any situation but, above all, he was a very kind man and we will all miss him.
September 26, 2025
A truly wonderful man who was so much more than a business associate. We met when we both worked for Downs Surgical and continued to speak (and trade) fairly regularly. He was always diligent, extremely helpful but above all just a really lovely man. Kind and thoughtful and always able to put the work to one side and talk about many things with both interest and empathy. Bless you Doug; you will be sorely missed.
September 26, 2025
An amazing man - great to have got to know him -albeit very briefly
September 25, 2025
Doug, one of life’s great gentlemen, he was so interesting to talk to, but more importantly he was interested in other people’s lives. He will be greatly missed x
Service
Tuesday 7th October at 10:30am
We invite you to join us in paying a final tribute to Doug. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the kindness, humour, and warmth he brought into our lives. His memory will live on in the moments we shared and the love he gave so freely.
Your presence will mean a great deal as we come together in remembrance and reflection.
The service and committal for Doug will be held at St Margaret’s Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at Kingswood Golf Club.
We invite all family and friends to join us in remembering Doug, sharing memories, and celebrating the remarkable life he led.
We invite you to join us in paying a final tribute to Doug. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the kindness, humour, and warmth he brought into our lives. His memory will live on in the moments we shared and the love he gave so freely.
Your presence will mean a great deal as we come together in remembrance and reflection.
The service and committal for Doug will be held at St Margaret’s Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at Kingswood Golf Club.
We invite all family and friends to join us in remembering Doug, sharing memories, and celebrating the remarkable life he led.
Donate
Donations in Memory of Doug
Donations can be made to The Royal Marsden, a charity close to our hearts, to support the care and research that made such a difference to Doug and so many others.
www.justgiving.com/page/douglaspitman?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL
Donations can be made to The Royal Marsden, a charity close to our hearts, to support the care and research that made such a difference to Doug and so many others.
www.justgiving.com/page/douglaspitman?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL
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