Search by Name

Search by Name

Harry Whelan M.D.

1922 - 2015

Harry Whelan M.D. obituary, 1922-2015, Menlo Park, CA

BORN

1922

DIED

2015

Harry Whelan Obituary

Harry Gabriel Whelan, MD

June 3, 1922 - May 31, 2015

Resident of Menlo Park

Harry Gabriel Whelan, MD, lovingly called "Chief" by his family and friends passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2015, three days shy of his 93rd birthday. A third generation San Franciscan, he was born to Harry and Ruth Degnan Whelan on June 3, 1922, and moved with his family in 1926 to Atherton, CA, where he grew up. He attended St. Joseph's School, Bellarmine College Prep and graduated from Stanford University in 1943. After college he entered Loyola Medical School (now Stritch School of Medicine) in Chicago, IL, as a naval midshipman graduating in 1947. While in Chicago he met his beloved wife, Joanne "Jodie" Roberts of Wichita, KS whom he married on November 3, 1948. Harry did his medical internship at Stanford's San Francisco hospital in 1947 and his residency in San Diego, CA from 1948 to 1952. During the Korean War he was a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps stationed at Fort Lawton Hospital in Seattle, WA. In 1955, he and Jodie moved their young family to Menlo Park. He practiced general and colon-rectal surgery in Palo Alto, CA from 1955 until his retirement in 1992. During that time he also served as an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Stanford University Hospital.
Harry was a member of the Menlo Circus Club, Menlo Country Club, Profits Unlimited, and the Common Sense Club. He loved the game of tennis and for decades played twice weekly. He also enjoyed golfing, gardening, skiing, playing bridge, traveling with Jodie and their friends and spending time every summer at his family cabin in Clear Lake. He had many hobbies during his lifetime including photography, wine-making, sailing and tutoring his children and grandchildren in math.
Chief was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jodie, and daughter, Sally, his brothers John "Jack" Whelan and Joe Whelan and sister, Alice "Sis" Lussier. He leaves his sons, Gabe (Harry G. III) (Debbie) Whelan and Robert (Linda) Whelan and daughters, Anne (Steve) Englert, Pat (Phil) McDonnell, Mary (Steve) O'Neill and Sophie (David) Kirk, thirteen grandchildren, Jennifer (Josh) Alfaro, Harry IV, Natalie and Abby Whelan, Steve, Sophia, Hilary and Bobbie Englert, Philip (Kate Libby) McDonnell and Erin (Jake) Foxcurran, Lauren O'Neill, Libby and Laura Kirk and two great-grandchildren, Dylan Alfaro and Ellie Foxcurran. The family is grateful to Tenisi Guttenbeil, Chief's wonderful caregiver, for her help in making the last four years of his life more comfortable and joyful.
A Rosary will be said for Chief on Monday, June 22 at 7 pm at St. Denis Church, 2250 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 23 at 1 pm at St. Denis Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Family Service Agency of San Mateo County.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 15 to Jun. 16, 2015.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Whelan

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Dr. Whelan's precious family will continue his legacy of love and kindness.

Merce Litfin-Zingmark

June 18, 2015

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Harry Whelan's name

Memorial Events
for Harry Whelan

Jun

22

Rosary

7:00 p.m.

St. Denis Church

2250 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park, CA

Jun

23

Funeral Mass

1:00 p.m.

St. Denis Church

2250 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park, CA

How to support Harry's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Harry Whelan's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more