Obituary: David R. Park, III, MD, 1961-2016 

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• David Park

Dr. David Park, 54, died September 29, 2016 at his home in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

A pulmonary disease and critical care physician at Harborview Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, he had waged a six-year battle with brain cancer but died peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and two sisters.

He was born October 4, 1961 in Rochester, NY, the eldest of three children of Dr. David R. Park and the late Elaine Park, and was raised on the family’s farm in Williston, VT. He graduated as a National Merit Scholar from Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, VT in 1979 where he was a member of the varsity soccer and hockey teams. David attended Williams College where he served as captain of the rugby club and graduated in 1983. David then graduated from the University of Vermont School of Medicine in 1988, receiving Alpha Omega Alpha honors.

At UVM, he fell in love with classmate Julie Ruggieri. They were married on August 5, 1989. Moving to Seattle for their medical residency training, they took to the trails in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. He was an avid fly fisherman, accomplished skier, BMW fanatic, community advocate and a beloved youth soccer coach. Beyond all, he was a devoted and extraordinary father to his two adoring children.

As a physician, David was a perceptive diagnostician with a soothing demeanor. He was a renowned teacher of all aspects of life, with teaching awards from the University of Washington and an Outstanding Educator Award from the American Thoracic Society. He was nationally recognized for his educational expertise in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and was a founding member of the Firland Northwest Tuberculosis Center whose mission is to disseminate best practices for clinical care of patients with tuberculosis, supporting both clinical research projects and educational opportunities.

He is survived by his wife Julie R. Park, MD, son Philip and daughter Giulia, father David R. Park, M.D. and his wife Linda Park, sisters Bronwyn (Chris) Murphy of Groton, MA and Kim (Greg) Dostal of Juneau, AK and nephews Tanner, David and William Murphy and Wolfgang, Stein, and Jaegar Dostal. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine Park.

His twinkling blue eyes charmed. He was adored by family, friends, neighbors, patients and colleagues for his remarkable intelligence, humble approach to life, his ever-present kindness, sharp wit and insatiable humor. A celebration of his life will be held on June 10, 2017, details forthcoming. Memorial gifts in honor of David may be made to the Firland Northwest Tuberculosis Center; depts.washington.edu/fnwtbc/support-us.