KEY POINTS:
A Hamilton surgeon who was part of a 22-hour marathon surgical operation to separate conjoined twins at Waikato Hospital in 2004 has died, aged 48.
David Clews was a surgeon at Waikato Hospital from 1992 until September, when he was forced to retire due to ill health.
Dr Clews, who died on Thursday, received the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year's Honours.
He was one of 55 who worked to successfully separate the twins, under top paediatric surgeon Askar Kukkady.
Dr Kukkady said today Dr Clews was "by far the best" paediatric orthopaedic surgeon he had worked with.
The parents of the now two-year-old twins, whose identities have been fiercely protected, today said Dr Clews was one of New Zealand's true gentlemen.
"There are no words that we can find that are great enough to describe his contribution to our family."
Dr Clews is survived by his wife and two children.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at the Chapel of Christ the King, St Paul's Collegiate, Hamilton on Monday at 2pm.
- NZPA
