Geoffrey Lang

1941 - 2016

Geoffrey Lang

Geoffrey Neil Lang unexpectedly passed away April 7, 2016 at age 74, from heart failure and diabetes. He leaves behind family and friends who shall miss his always cheerful disposition and his warm smile. Geoff was born September 16, 1941 to Eugene and Madeleine Lang in San Rafael, Calif. He grew up in Novato Calif. and was a member of first graduating class of Novato High School in 1959. He received his bachelor and master's degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in hospital administration. He served in senior administrative roles at Queen's Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Wash. His CEO positions included San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, Calif., Valley Health System in Hemet, Calif., and Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash., from which he retired. He and his first wife, Barbara (Jody) were proud parents of two sons, Geoffrey and Kenneth; she preceded him in death. In 1990, Geoff met another hospital CEO, Kay Schweickart and they married in 1991. They were each other's best friend throughout their life together. In retirement, they moved to Lake Roesiger in Snohomish, Wash., in order to be close to their three children and two grandchildren. Winters were spent at their home in Indian Wells Country Club. Geoff and Kay enjoyed traveling together, especially in Europe. Geoff planned exceptional trips to small towns, requiring driving on narrow, curvy roads and the experience was consistently outstanding. He was a "foodie" and carefully sought out the best dining places in any area they visited. Kay photographed the scenery; Geoff came home with photos of great meals they shared. Geoff was an active member of the Indian Wells Rotary Club and embodied the values of truthfulness, fairness, goodwill and better friendships. He volunteered at Martha's Village and Kitchen for ten years. Geoff was a member of Our Savior's Community Church in Palm Springs, Calif. He enjoyed playing poker, gin rummy, bridge and cooking. He was a ham radio operator, having obtained his license in his early teens and still enjoyed communicating with people around the world. Geoff was preceded in death by his parents and first wife. He is survived by his wife, Kay Lang of Snohomish, Wash. and Indian Wells, Calif.; sons, Geoffrey (Christie) Lang of Snohomish, Wash. and Kenneth (Sas) Lang of New York City, N.Y.; stepdaughter, Jamie (Brock) Gilman of Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren, Christopher and Natalie Lang; sister, Donna (Richard) Shelley of Englewood, Colo.; mothers-in-law, Patty Keeshen of Hurricane, Utah. and Mariella Gutzmer, formerly of Thousand Palms, Calif. and now living in Oklahoma City, Okla.; brother-in-law, Dennis (Annelle) Gutzmer of Georgetown, Ind.; and sisters-in-law, Diane (Gary) Ackerman of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Sue (Warren) Brooks of Hurricane, Utah., as well as beloved nieces and nephews and their families. Private burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Snohomish, Wash. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 3:00 pm, at Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cathedral City, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to a local charity of choice with a focus on helping those less fortunate.

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