Otto R. Rombouts M.D.

1928 - 2018

Otto R. Rombouts, MD

Otto R. Rombouts, MD, Seattle, WA, died peacefully on June 23, 2018 with his daughters Ernestine and Beatrix by his side.

Otto was born in Bussum, Netherlands May 26, 1928. While a member of the Royal Dutch Navy, he attended medical school at University of Leiden, Netherlands. There he met Liesel Van Cleeff, Rotterdam, and they married in 1957. Their first daughter, Ernestine Johanna, was born in Amsterdam, 1959. Upon completion of medical school Otto wanted to study in the US and spent his intern year at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma, 1960. The family moved to Seattle in 1960 where Otto attended his Residency program in Anesthesiology at Harborview Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. John Bonica. A second daughter, Beatrix Deborah, was born in 1961 and the family happily lived in Yesler Terrace while Otto continued his studies.

Otto was a proud and busy anesthesiologist working in Seattle. He was an active participant in Doctors Without Borders which he often stated was his best medical experience. He loved the Pacific Northwest and was an avid hiker, skier, lover of rock gardening, and spending summers in the San Juans. A voracious reader, he devoured history books with a penchant for WWII. He loved attending arts events and travel with Liesel, including trips to New York & Sicily in recent years.

Otto is survived by his ex-wife Liesel Van Cleeff and daughters Ernestine and Beatrix Rombouts, Seattle, WA.

In honor of Otto's wishes, there will be no memorial service.

"Come to the woods, for here is rest...climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees".

- John Muir