Names can match careers — honest

Dear Ann: Thanks for a "Fixer"-upper of a letter. It arrived with a bushel of mail from other readers offering names that match occupations. Read on:

Dear Abby: One of my dearest friends is a professional landscaper of golf courses, highways and schools. His name? Ross Weed! — Bonnie G. Chapin, S.C.

Dear Abby: My husband, last name Graves, is a funeral director. — Dianne G., Ripley, Miss.

Dear Abby: The first time I took my grandchildren to their doctor, their regular physician was on vacation. The doctor who was filling in for him was named Dr. Needle. I kid you not. — Theresa S., Sparrow Bush, N.Y.

Dear Abby: When I was in college, the disciplinary dean's name was Dick Justice. — Brian S., Naperville, Ill.

Dear Abby: I have a couple of names that take the cake. I am a nurse in a large hospital in central Wisconsin. We had a plastic surgeon named Dr. Hacker, and if that wasn't enough, his resident was Dr. Wacker. Not surprisingly, their patients required a lot of reassurance. Wouldn't you? — Lori From the Dairy State

Dear Abby: While I was serving at the Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Va., my best friend took me with him when he had his vasectomy. His physician's name was Dr. D. Nutter. — Pat M., Dallas

Dear Abby: There is a dentist here in my city whose hygienist's last name is Toothacher. — Glen in Texas

Dear Abby: In Portland, Ore., where I reside, there are three orthodontists: Dr. Payne, Dr. Fear and Dr. Rensch (pronounced "Wrench")!

Dear Abby: I swear this is true: When I visited my first gynecologist when I was in college (the University of Massachusetts at Amherst), his name was Dr. Clapp. — V. Cook, Blue Hill, Maine

Dear Abby: When I worked at a major hospital, from time to time I would see trauma victims with the attending doctor's name being "Dr. Kill." Initially I thought it was a hospital code for victims who might still be at risk. As it turned out, Dr. Kill is a practicing physician. — Sabrina in San Diego