Dr. Thomas W. Critchfield

Dr. Thomas W. Critchfield

Dr. Tom Critchfield passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on October 17, 2011 at the age of 91. He was a prominent physician with The Everett Clinic for 29 years.
Tom was born November 10, 1919 in a small farmhouse near Effingham, Kansas. He was the youngest of two sons born to Thomas and Minnie Critchfield. When he was three months old his father died of the Spanish Flu - an epidemic which took a heavy toll on their community.
Throughout his early school years, Tom was an excellent student and athlete. The town doctor encouraged him to go into medicine. To pay for college, Tom worked at the local grain elevator during high school and in the cafeteria while at the University of Kansas.
After graduating from the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine, Tom interned in Seattle, WA at Swedish Hospital. There he met a nurse, Vivian Nordin, whom he fell in love with and married. They were together for 67 years.
In 1944, Dr Critchfield joined the U.S. Navy Medical Corp where he was assigned to a troop ship stationed in the South Pacific. Years later, he would attribute his hearing loss to the surgical room's location below one of the ship's gun turrets.
After the war, he chose obstetrics as his specialty. As stated in a Herald interview at the time of his retirement, "It's a happy specialty. You have your problems and tragedies, but you are generally dealing with happy, healthy people and are helping them at a time of their lives when they need someone to lean on." He completed his three year medical residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Kansas University Medical Center, Duke University, and Houston's St. Joseph's Infirmary. During the Korean conflict, he was assigned to the Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA.
In 1953 two of Tom's close friends and fellow physicians, Dr. Bob Hagen and Dr. Pete Jensen, encouraged Tom and Vivian to move to Lake Stevens, WA. In January 1954, he joined The Everett Clinic, then located in the Central Building on Hewitt Avenue. At the time, there were seven physicians at the clinic. Dr. John Flynn, a General Practitioner, was one of the few doctors practicing obstetrics in town and he needed help.
Dr. Critchfield delivered nearly 8,000 babies during his career. He was an old-school doctor who loved helping his patients and worked tirelessly - often spending night after night at the hospital. Living in Lake Stevens and delivering babies at General Hospital in Everett was challenging for him at times. He often had to race to the hospital for a late night delivery. The police knew who he was and the sports cars he drove. Sometimes they followed him to make sure he arrived safely.
In his time off, Tom had a passion for boating. He logged many hours with family and friends exploring the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound.
One of the highlights of his career was assisting in the delivery of his twin granddaughters on his birthday, November 10, 1982. This was his last delivery.
In his retirement, Tom enjoyed traveling, relaxing at Mutiny Bay on Whidbey Island and biking with his family in Sunriver, Oregon. He took great joy in helping his grandkids with school projects and attending their various activities.
Tom had a kind soul and will be missed by many. He was often informed by family members that one of his patients had told them to say hello. He not only could recall the patient but the number of babies he delivered for them as well as many of their names. His den has photo albums of patient pictures and grown children he delivered which were sent to him over the years.
Tom leaves behind his wife, Vivian; son, Dave (Shari); daughter, Carol (Jeff); grandchildren, Pam, Mark, Ryan, Kelli and Megan (Jimmie); three great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Claudine; niece, Theda Gay; his dog, Misty; and Spook the cat.
He was predeceased by his father, Tom; mother, Minnie; brother, Bill; step -father, Clarence; and niece Sara Lynn.
The family would like to thank all the care givers at The Colby Campus of The Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.
At his request, there will be a small family gathering, and, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to:

The Woman and
Children's Services Fund
The Providence General Foundation
P O Box 1067
Everett, WA 98206