A slightly irreverent biography…
Dr. David R. Saunders, Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center, died 22 January 2008, after waging a short but heroic struggle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. David bequeaths to his wife, Donna, his four sons, three daughters-in-law, and nine grandchildren his deep love of life, music, poetry, the wonders of nature, and the joy of learning.
Born in 1933 in Montreal, Canada, David was raised in Quebec, spending his Summers at a family cottage on 16 Island Lake. In 1949 he was matriculated by Princeton University. In 1953, despite earlier training as a classical pianist, he elected to enroll in the medical school at the University of McGill, in Montreal. After graduation, he continued to pursue his medical studies, as well as a number of nurses,at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he served a two year residency, and met his bride-to-be, Donna (though perhaps he was more surprised than she by her assent). In 1960, the two married and moved to England, where David commenced a two-year course of study at the Royal Free Hospital in London, where their first child was hatched. Returning to Montreal in 1963, they welcomed a second child, as they really had no choice by that point. Lured by the intellectual blandishments of friends from his days in England, David brought his young family to Seattle to join the University of Washington Medical Center’s Division of Gastroenterology in 1964 as a GI Fellow. After three years, and two more children, he was appointed an assistant professor of medicine. In 1981, he became Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, a post which he served in until 1995.
He took sabbaticals in 1972, 1979, and 1989, returning to England to research and study and to expose his family to the delights of European living, the joys of (English) football, and the unalloyed brilliance of Monty Python.
Throughout his tenure at the UofW, David was celebrated by family, friends and colleagues around the world for his kindness and clever wit (he was an inveterate punster who was renowned for droll turns of phrase); he was hailed as a meticulous researcher, a scrupulously ethical physician, a compassionate clinician, and a marvelous mentor and teacher. His contributions were integral to the successful presentation of The Gut Course (Human Biology 551) to UofW medical students for over 33 years. During this time, his thoughtful, caring approach to medicine influenced thousandsof budding medical professionals. He was honored several times by students andfaculty of the U of W Medical School for his outstanding teaching. In 1997 he received the George N. Aagaard award for outstanding teaching. In 2002 he was named an Outstanding Teacher in Perpetuity by the Medical School graduating classes of 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Even after retirement, he continued to teach and to inspire future doctors and other health care professionals with his sympathetic and humanitarian approach to patient care.
He further pursued his love of learning long after relinquishing most of his administrative and teaching responsibilities, participating in Elder Hostel educational trips and taking classes through various institutions. He returned to Europe in 1991 and 1998, touring Germany, France, and Austria. Always an enthusiastic backcountry hiker, he continued to savor the beauties of the Pacific Northwest, hiking and canoeing parts of the Columbia River, Vancouver Island and Murtle Lake in British Columbia. An avid birder, he could often be seen paddling the north end of Lake Washington in his kayak observing the abundant bird life of this picturesque area. To the delight of all, he returned to the piano and shared the beauty of Fauré, Chopin, and others with his family.
A brilliant and erudite man of letters, a critical scientist and compassionate physician,a caring fellow who worked to preserve the natural world and protect public lands; a man of vision, generosity and kindness, David was a wise and munificent father who inspired his family to travel and to learn, sharing with them his awe of nature’s wonders and an appreciation of its mysteries. His eyes sparkled with merriment, and his clever word play was an endless source of fun. He had an ardent vision of health care for all, a pristine environment, top-notch publiceducation, and open democracy and world peace.
Though we will never fill the chasm that has opened in our souls with his departure, we can, as time passes, be thankful every day for his gifts of humor and insight, we can chuckle at some of his foibles, and we can remember him fondly when the rains fall on the forests, and when the chickadees and wrens flit among the trees.
A festive celebration of his life is being planned by the family in lieu of a memorial service. There will be no funeral; David’s family is contemplating scattering his ashes over the waters of Puget Sound, which he loved so. It is hoped that, sleeping with thefishes, his sole will find peace in its final resting plaice.
Born in 1933 in Montreal, Canada, David was raised in Quebec, spending his Summers at a family cottage on 16 Island Lake. In 1949 he was matriculated by Princeton University. In 1953, despite earlier training as a classical pianist, he elected to enroll in the medical school at the University of McGill, in Montreal. After graduation, he continued to pursue his medical studies, as well as a number of nurses,at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he served a two year residency, and met his bride-to-be, Donna (though perhaps he was more surprised than she by her assent). In 1960, the two married and moved to England, where David commenced a two-year course of study at the Royal Free Hospital in London, where their first child was hatched. Returning to Montreal in 1963, they welcomed a second child, as they really had no choice by that point. Lured by the intellectual blandishments of friends from his days in England, David brought his young family to Seattle to join the University of Washington Medical Center’s Division of Gastroenterology in 1964 as a GI Fellow. After three years, and two more children, he was appointed an assistant professor of medicine. In 1981, he became Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, a post which he served in until 1995.
He took sabbaticals in 1972, 1979, and 1989, returning to England to research and study and to expose his family to the delights of European living, the joys of (English) football, and the unalloyed brilliance of Monty Python.
Throughout his tenure at the UofW, David was celebrated by family, friends and colleagues around the world for his kindness and clever wit (he was an inveterate punster who was renowned for droll turns of phrase); he was hailed as a meticulous researcher, a scrupulously ethical physician, a compassionate clinician, and a marvelous mentor and teacher. His contributions were integral to the successful presentation of The Gut Course (Human Biology 551) to UofW medical students for over 33 years. During this time, his thoughtful, caring approach to medicine influenced thousandsof budding medical professionals. He was honored several times by students andfaculty of the U of W Medical School for his outstanding teaching. In 1997 he received the George N. Aagaard award for outstanding teaching. In 2002 he was named an Outstanding Teacher in Perpetuity by the Medical School graduating classes of 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Even after retirement, he continued to teach and to inspire future doctors and other health care professionals with his sympathetic and humanitarian approach to patient care.
He further pursued his love of learning long after relinquishing most of his administrative and teaching responsibilities, participating in Elder Hostel educational trips and taking classes through various institutions. He returned to Europe in 1991 and 1998, touring Germany, France, and Austria. Always an enthusiastic backcountry hiker, he continued to savor the beauties of the Pacific Northwest, hiking and canoeing parts of the Columbia River, Vancouver Island and Murtle Lake in British Columbia. An avid birder, he could often be seen paddling the north end of Lake Washington in his kayak observing the abundant bird life of this picturesque area. To the delight of all, he returned to the piano and shared the beauty of Fauré, Chopin, and others with his family.
A brilliant and erudite man of letters, a critical scientist and compassionate physician,a caring fellow who worked to preserve the natural world and protect public lands; a man of vision, generosity and kindness, David was a wise and munificent father who inspired his family to travel and to learn, sharing with them his awe of nature’s wonders and an appreciation of its mysteries. His eyes sparkled with merriment, and his clever word play was an endless source of fun. He had an ardent vision of health care for all, a pristine environment, top-notch publiceducation, and open democracy and world peace.
Though we will never fill the chasm that has opened in our souls with his departure, we can, as time passes, be thankful every day for his gifts of humor and insight, we can chuckle at some of his foibles, and we can remember him fondly when the rains fall on the forests, and when the chickadees and wrens flit among the trees.
A festive celebration of his life is being planned by the family in lieu of a memorial service. There will be no funeral; David’s family is contemplating scattering his ashes over the waters of Puget Sound, which he loved so. It is hoped that, sleeping with thefishes, his sole will find peace in its final resting plaice.
Labels: Family Member
posted by J Saunders at
2:28 PM
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