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Lee Ellenburg Obituary
Lee was born July 12, 1938, in Kingsport, Tenn. Raised simply along with his two sisters Elaine and Sue, he spent summers experiencing farm life while visiting his aunts and uncles.
He attended Emory University and graduated from the Emory Dental Program in 1964.
Directly after college, he joined the Navy, which would be responsible for sending him to Kodiak. Alaska proved to be the perfect state in which he could experience and live all his dreams.
After two years in Kodiak, he retired from the military and moved to Anchorage, where he established a dental practice that allowed him to perfect and enjoy the profession that he loved. His practice ultimately spanned three generations of patients until he retired in 2006.
Throughout his adult life he was passionate about the great state where he lived and its ability to supply endless opportunities for flying, hunting and fishing. He hunted and fished throughout the state and was an avid pilot, which allowed him to experience the true beauty and bounty of Alaska that few will ever know. He enjoyed being out in the middle of nowhere in camouflage with a great bottle of wine and a good cigar.
He was an intensely private man who valued and loved his wife of 38 years, Barbara, and was proud of the children he had raised and all of their accomplishments. His family will miss his strength, intelligence and the stability that he offered throughout their lives.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Lee III, Cathy, Susan and Michael; his grandchildren, Austin Skyler, Lorelei, Burke, Klancy and Willy, all of Anchorage; and his sister, Elaine Smith of Maryland. He was preceded in death by his father, Lee Ross Ellenburg Sr., his mother, Lucille Wagner Ellenburg; and his sister; Sue Hight.
His family will hold a celebration of life on May 1. Please contact them for information at [email protected] or 907-602-0513. Condolences can be sent to 3500 Latouche St., No. 360, Anchorage 99508.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lee Ellenburg
Pamela Burmeister
April 20, 2012
Fate has a way of letting us know when those we have been blessed to know, pass away and are not longer with us. A new friend is a dental assistant in Anchorage and commenting to her that I worked for Dr. Ellenburg from 1974-1976 led me to google his name...
So sorry to hear that he has passed. I worked for four different dentist during my dental career and Dr. Ellenburg was by far a favorite! He was so easy to work for...always appreciated his help, fun to be around and loved each and every patient dearly. A true gentleman whom I respected very much!
I remember little Michael when I worked for Dr. Ellenburg...what a cutie and loved so very much by Barbara and Lee!
Belated sorrow for such a great loss. My love to Barbara and blessings to the family. Dr. Ellenburg leaves a legacy you are surely proud of!
Sincerely...
Judie Romero
August 25, 2011
I was saddened to learn of Dr. Ellenburg's passing. I needed a dentist, was a college student and looked thru the phone book and all I remember seeing was "We cater to cowards" I knew this was the one for me. That was in the 70's and after I got married and had children we were all his patients. I loved the nitrus he gave me and he never made me feel ashamed that I was scared. I dreamed he was God one of the times under the nitrus and told him the story...I could see his blue blue eye's while he was drilling away. He was one of the most compasionate, kind professional's I have ever known. I missed him when he "finally" retired, something he really wasn't excited about doing. One of my daughters had a brain anyersum and was left without dental insurance; Doctor Ellenburg fixed her teeth pro bono. What an angel.
My heartfelt thoughts go out to the Ellenburg family, I know you have many wonderful memories of your husband and Dad. You were blessed to have such a great guy in your life. Thank you for all the time you shared him with so many.
God be with you and bring you peace.
maria cobb
July 14, 2011
it is with sincere regret that we heard of Dr. Ellenburgs passing when we went home to Anchorage this summer. He treated three generations of our family. We always were confident that Dr. Ellenburg would always save our teeth if at all possible. All our dental work was almost pain free, he monitored us during the procedure like tell me raise your hand if you are having pain. Only knowing Dr. Ellenburg professionally and not so much personally, we loved him very much he had a tremendous sense of humility. We will so very much miss him and thank him forever and ever for the care he provided to our family for over 30 years. Dr. Ellenburg, rest in peace, praise God for your walk here on earth that included our family in your path. Ken and Maria Cobb, Robert, Danny, Paige and the Vivian Johnson family.
Kathy Miller
June 13, 2011
Dr. Ellenburg treated our family when in the late 60s when he opened practice in downtown Anchorage. He did our teeth but added our children as patients as they were born. Barbara was his receptionist while he did the prophy and dental work in which she assisted. The move to LaTouche to a bigger office with hygienists and dental assistants included Barbara in charge of the office for many years.
We miss the good old days. He often stated he was retired and doing what he wanted...dentistry, but one day I looked up in the chair and a new face appeared because he just retired.
We were privileged to have his expert care almost 40 years. Thank you! May he rest in peace that he deserves for caring for everyone in his large and loyal practice in Anchorage all those years!
Emily Moye Buttrill
May 17, 2011
Lee and I were students at Emory and as the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi he was one of "my" Sigs. He was quiet even then but with a great sense of humor. Always upbeat and ready with a word of encouragement or an off-handed compliment. As his family you have a wonderful legacy to remember and cherish. May it challenge and inspire you and the generations to come.
Lee's Favorite Kids - Cessna & Piper
Cathy Lancaster-Franklin
May 4, 2011
liz morrison
May 2, 2011
I worked with Dr Ellenburg for many years and enjoy his sense of humor and always warm manner, he was a wonderful person, great dentist and he will be missed.
May 2, 2011
Lee was a long time friend and colleague. One of the most interesting and interested people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a gifted story-teller, a very talented dentist who always sought out and used the most effective and current therapies available.
I will miss him and his stimulating conversation and his presence at our study clubs. He was indeed an inspiration and model of a decathlon dentist...he could do it all with excellence.
Warmly,
Lu Paine
kevin ingerson
May 1, 2011
I ve knownDr Ellenburg since i was 3 years old he one of the finest individuals that ive ever known Dr Ellenburg had a great sence of humor and you will be missed rest in peace. Kevin Ingerson
Katina Stewman Sr.
April 25, 2011
As a patient of Dr. Ellenburg since 1971 thru his retirement, most appointments while sitting in the chair and before I had to 'open wide', many times I said to him that he was my 'favorite dentist'. Of course he was the only dentist for all those years. In 1980 I wrote a poem called, 'MY DENTIST'...had it framed and Dr. Ellenburg put it on the hall wall for folks to read. Each of our children and my husband I'm sure have fond memories from the thirty-five years of great dental care, and I personally will miss him dearly. May God's strength and peace be felt if your family.
Peekie O'Connor (Godwin)
April 25, 2011
My favorite dentist, ever.
John Wayman
April 25, 2011
Lee and I grew up in the same hometown, Kingsport, TN, attended the same schools, and went to the same dentist when we were young. Lee was 5 years older but we and our parents knew some of the same people from our home town. From 1969 when I got out of the Army until Lee retired, I always looked forward to seeing him when I needed dental work or check ups. Lee knew and treated my family and shared information about his children. I referred many of my friends to Lee's office. My thoughts and prayers go out to Lee's family. He was a truly great guy.
Deanna Reeves
April 25, 2011
Michael, I was so very sad to read about your dad on Sunday. I was very lucky to find him when we located back to Anchorage and always afraid that he would retire and would get happy every time he told me maybe not for another couple of years. Bob and I just thought the world of him and I'm glad we had the opportunity to get together while in Marina Del Ray. They loved talking about airplanes. I know how hard this will be on all the family; it is an enormous loss beyond belief. Please remember that I'm just a phone call away if I can be of any help to you in the difficult days ahead. You and your family are in my prayers.
Shon Stewman
April 25, 2011
Dr. Ellenburg was always kind and gentle, as a child back in the 70's and 80's I always enjoyed going to see him, he always made me laugh. The last time I saw him in 2003 I was getting two of my teeth pulled to get ready for braces, he was having a bit of trouble getting them out, when he finally did he jokingly said your sure were giving my fishing arm a workout. Dr. Ellenburg will be greatly missed and my prayers go out to the family.
Marc McNab
April 25, 2011
Dentists don't get better than Dr. Lee Ellenburg. Was pleased to have been his patient in the 70s and 80s.
April 25, 2011
~For the family of Dr. Ellenburg~
I was deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Ellenburg's death. A friend had recommended him to me and when I saw his motto, "We cater to cowards", I knew we had a match. He was our dentist for the next 30 years and I can honestly say I looked forward to every appointment. His wonderful manner, great stories, and views of the world in addition to his dentistry made him a great treasure. My sincere sympathy to all of you at this sad time.
Linda MacSwain
Samir Obeidi
April 24, 2011
He was our family Dentist.
He was a great person,he will be missed.
Our sympathy goes to his family.
Suzie Hill Koklich
April 24, 2011
I had the wonderful pleasure of having Dr. Ellenburg take care of me and my children for almost 30 years. When he told me he was retiring, we cried, he was more than "our dentist", he was a part of our family. We shared many wonderful hunting, fishing and kid stories over the years. A true treasure that I will cherish the memory of. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Cathy Diehl-Robbins
April 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ellenburg family. Dr. Ellenburg was our three generation dentist. I got my dad to go to Dr. Ellenburg because the doc's motto "we cater to cowards" said it all. Our family was truly blessed to have Dr. Ellenburg apart of it, now heaven will be.
April 24, 2011
Dr. Ellenburg was my Dentist for many years. Great guy, rest in peace.
Connie Godwin
April 24, 2011
Beginning in 1970, when we lived in College Village within walking distance of Dr. Ellenburg's office, through the years beginning in 1980, after we moved to the East Coast and I had the good fortune to work for Senator Stevens until 2001, with opportunities to visit Alaska fairly frequently, I was able to continue going to Doctor's for my regular checkups and any necessary dental work. It was always a joy just to see him, to hear about his hunting adventures and his family. Besides being a wonderful dentist, he was gentle, kind, always on top of the best new technology, and always ALWAYS upbeat. After I retired from the Senator's office in 2001, I had to choose a dentist near where I live on Maryland's Eastern Shore because I no longer had as many opportunities to get to Alaska. I was lucky enough to know a dentist who is also an outdoorsman with hunting tales just like Doctor's, so I asked Doctor to send my records to him. The first thing the new dentist said on my first visit was, "You've certainly had careful thorough dental care all these years from Dr. Ellenburg." I knew that, but I was glad that this new dentist also recognized it. I'm sorry they never got to meet to share their knowledge of the outdoors and hunting stories. Like hundreds - maybe thousands - of others, including my husband and our children, we'll always be grateful for having Doctor in our lives. We're proud to have known such a wonderful guy. Our hearts go out to the Ellenburg family. He meant so much to so many people, but most of all he loved his family. He knew what was really important in life.
Jeff Muetz
April 24, 2011
Doc Ellenburg was my dentist for over 20 years. Great guy and it was sad the day he retired. My thoughts go out to you and you family Doc! You lived a great life the way you wanted and they can remember you that way!
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