Dr. Edwin P. Werlich

1925 - 2016

Dr. Edwin P. Werlich (1925-2016) Ed was born in Everett, Wash. on July 12, 1925. The family moved to Seattle, Wash. in 1932 and Ed graduated from Ballard High School in 1943. During his senior year, he enlisted in the Navy's V-12 (a) Program. After a year at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Ed began the flight program and was finishing flight training at the N.A.S in Corpus Christi, Texas when WWII ended. Ed elected discharge and enrolled at the University of Washington, receiving a Dental degree in 1953. Following a year's internship V.S.P.H.S Hospital in Seattle, Ed opened a private dental practice in Port Angeles, Wash. After six years of practice in Port Angeles, Ed returned to the UW and earned a Master's Degree in Orthodontics. He opened his practice in Everett, in 1962 and worked until his retirement in 1992. While in Dental School, Ed had knee surgery. Two close friends suggested that while in the hospital, Ed evaluate the nursing staff. As a result, all three friends married nurses. Sixty years, ten children, plus grand and great grandchildren later, with marriages intact, it was decided that it is was probably the most expensive and successful orthopedic surgery on record. Pauline Werlich (Phillips) supported Ed and when they opened their practice in Port Angeles, Polly was the receptionist, chairside assistant and financial officer. They have been a loving team through a wonderful life together and were blessed with two daughters, Amy and Jean (Jonathan) Way plus two very special granddaughters, Maggie and Abby. While in Port Angeles, Ed discovered steelhead fishing and became addicted. He acquired a U.S.A.F. life raft and converted it for river use fishing the Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Hon rivers on the Olympic Peninsula and the Sauk river near Darrington, Wash. Upon moving to Everett, a friend named Bob Vaara introduced him to fly fishing for summer run steelhead. This led to a fishing cabin on the Stillaguamish river. Ed caddied at the (no longer existing) Olympic Golf Club in North Ballard and worked at the club in various capacities. Golf became a big factor in his life and he cherished the game and his golfing friendships. Polly and Ed enjoyed retirement with stays at the cabin, trips to North Carolina, the Bahamas and memorable trips to Europe and New Zealand. Ed expressed the wish that all could have a fulfilling a life as he had been privileged to live and hopes they share the appreciation for great meatloaf and hamburgers. At his request, no formal services will be held but a celebration of life will take place on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the Everett Golf and Country Club.