The following obituary was written by John's son, Mike Mew.

Professor John Mew was a man of remarkable independence, imagination, and resolve - a pioneer in both orthodontics and life. Though best known for his bold ideas about craniofacial development, John’s character was shaped early on, not least during his time at Tonbridge. A student in Smythe House during the Second World War, John left his mark on the School in ways both mischievous and memorable. Early in the war his classroom was in the bell tower – the bell was due to be rung as a sign of a German invasion - where he discovered a hidden panel concealing the bell rope. Seizing the moment, and his ruler, he rang the invasion bell during lunch, much to the confusion of staff and delight of pupils. Later in the war, he served as a motorcycle dispatch rider, parking at a friend’s house and walking in, as motorcycles were forbidden by school rules.

After qualifying in dentistry at University College London and training in maxillofacial surgery, John turned to orthodontics, only to find a profession he felt had lost sight of the causes behind facial underdevelopment. In response, he developed a radical new approach known as Orthotropics, which placed posture, function, and breathing at the heart of craniofacial growth. His core belief: that guiding a child’s development early, naturally, and non-invasively could lead not only to straighter teeth but to healthier, more confident lives.

For decades, his views were dismissed by the mainstream. He lost his licence to practise as an orthodontist and faced fierce professional opposition. Yet John stood firm - principled, driven by science, and always concerned first with the wellbeing of children. In recent years, his ideas have gained unexpected and widespread attention. The viral phenomenon known as mewing, a term derived from the family name, has introduced millions of people worldwide to the principles he spent a lifetime exploring. What began as a fringe theory is now the subject of growing research, public discussion, and clinical application, led by his son, Dr Mike Mew.

Beyond his professional legacy, John’s life was filled with colour and adventure. He was a GB downhill skier, a Formula 1 test driver, an America’s Cup sailor, and a passionate student of anthropology. Perhaps his most eccentric and beloved achievement was Braylsham Castle - a medieval-style moated home in East Sussex, which he designed and built himself, stone by stone. A place of imagination and welcome, it became a hub of conversation, laughter, and inspiration for generations of visitors. John raised three children, William, Michael and Rosemary, each accomplished in their own right and bound together by a close, enduring connection. He formed friendships across all walks of life, drawn to people as much as they were drawn to him - by his curiosity, his generosity, and his refusal to judge.

John Mew was a builder - of castles, of ideas, of family, and of movements. To know him was to witness a life lived on principle, with energy, humour, and bold vision.