Dr. Raymond Dann

Dr. Raymond Dann, beloved family physician and long-time resident of Escondido, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 22, 2017, at the age of 86. Dedicated to his patients and the practice of medicine, he worked up to the day of his death, fulfilling a life-long passion. He touched many lives with his jovial demeanor and his genuine care for others; he will be sorely missed, by family, friends, colleagues, and patients. Dr. Dann was born in 1930 to Joseph, a Hungarian immigrant, and Mary Dann, from Ruthenia, on a dairy farm in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Determined not to work in the coal or steel industries, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School in 1957. After serving in the United States Public Health Service along the southern U.S. border, he was introduced to a beautiful and vivacious girl, Ethel, whose parents were also Hungarian immigrants. Instantly attracted to each other, the young couple happily married in 1962 and moved to Escondido in 1963 so that Dr. Dann could start his own private practice. Dr. Dann was an outstanding physician known for his superb diagnostic skills and dedication to treating the elderly and those less fortunate. In solo private practice for 54 years, he delivered babies for 18 years and performed surgeries for 44 years. He made hospital rounds on his patients up until last year. In addition to his dedication to teaching, providing long-term care was important to him; he was one of the founders and active members of the California Long-Term Medical Care Association. He was also Medical Director of several nursing facilities, Chief of Staff at Palomar Medical Center in 1974, and the longest-serving member on its medical staff. He was a member of the San Diego County Medical Society for 55 years, and of the American Medical Association, California Medical Association, and the American Medical Directors Association. Dr. Dann was a devoted and generous husband and father. His love of knowledge and drive for a college education was instilled in his children, and he was very proud of their accomplishments and their work ethic. He loved to read, cook, rock-hunt, travel, dance, and especially tend his indoor and outdoor gardens comprised of many rare fruit and tropical plants. He had a deep understanding of the Bible and a great admiration for God and the works of His son Jesus Christ. He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1953, and remained faithful to Jehovah until his death. Dr. Dann is loved and will forever be missed by his wife, Ethel; six children, Jeannine, Rachel, Sara, Julie, Raymond, and Melea; sisters, Betty and Jeanne and sister-in-law Carmel; grandchildren, Cole, Hannah, Leah, Nathan, Claire, Finn, Saraya, Archer, Raelyn, and Christina; children's spouses, John, Carl, Steve, Chris, Jaime, Eric; and many nieces, nephews and devoted friends. Dr. Dann's twinkling blue eyes, smile and laugh will not be forgotten. His legacy will live on through the many lives touched by his humble and caring spirit. The Dann family would like to thank his loyal staff for their service, including Barbara Morton, Teresa, Debbie, Maria, Nancy, Ailyn, Margot, Mayra, Nallely, and Donna. The family also would like to thank the staff of Palomar Medical Center for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in honor of Dr. Raymond Dann to the American Heart Association, California Breast Cancer Research Program or Watch Tower Tract and Bible Society.