Dr. Edward A. Plonka
Dr. Edward A. Plonka
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Dr. Edward A. Plonka Obituary
Ed was born January 17, 1956 to Anthony and Irene Plonka in Sunnyvale, CA. He
married Denise Klysen on July 6, 1989.
Ed had a special love for the elderly since he was a teenager and volunteered at local nursing homes. He attended UCLA Medical School graduating at the top of his class with highest honors. He became a much sought after geriatrician and was known for his kindness and compassionate approach to aging. He taught a Biology of Aging course for many years at Santa Clara University. After retirement, he taught MBSR classes in Santa Cruz, CA with his teacher and good friend, Bob Stahl.
Ed loved to garden and had many beautiful bonsai trees and roses. Plants and animals flourished under his loving care and regimens of vitamins and countless pest remedies.
He and Denise vacationed annually to Solvang, CA to see the Christmas decorations and town parade. Other favorite destinations were the Big Island of Hawaii and Poland, where both his parents grew up. Ed spoke and read Polish fluently.
Ed and his wife had no children, instead devoting their lives to rescue and care of any homeless cat in need that appeared on their doorstep.
Ed will be remembered for his gentle nature, kind heart, intelligence, and very quirky sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife Denise, his brother Eugene Plonka (Anne) and their children, Anthony and Marie.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Allison Goetz Davis
January 14, 2025
I'm only learning about Dr. Plonka's untimely death in 2022, and am so sorry. He was not only my physician, but also my parents' longtime physician. I am grateful to him for supporting my parents, Abe and Natalie Goetz, when my mom got and later died from colon cancer. His kindness and patience, particularly with my father, a fellow physician, who was so distraught, was something I'll always remember. Allison Goetz Davis
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Sally Adelus
August 2, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear of the untimely passing of Ed. I first met Ed in the late 80's and was very moved by his compassion and caring for his patients. He always went the extra mile for his patients. I was a VNA nurse in the late '80's and he took care of many very sick patients. I was blessed that he also helped my own family (both my parents visiting from the UK). Later in life our paths crossed again in hospice and palliative care. Ed's patients fully trusted him to provide the very best care. Ed practiced medicine the way it should be done and was a fine physician. Denise my heart goes to you and your family.
Bob Horowitz
April 9, 2024
Ed and I met during our early years as primary care physicians at Valley Medical Center. We supervised medical residents together in a teaching clinic. Ed was an outstanding doctor who gave so much to his patients and colleagues. He was compassionate and really bright and knowledgeable while being soft-spoken and humble - a true gentleman. Ed had a great sense of humor and was a pleasure to be with. We stayed in touch through Christmas cards after he went into private practice, and then, a few years ago and to my delight, our paths crossed again at El Camino Hospital where we were both teaching programs in mindfulness and self-compassion. We looked forward to meeting for lunch in the New Year but, very sadly, it wasn´t meant to be.
Ed was a very special friend and colleague who really dedicated himself and his abundant talents to helping other people. I feel very blessed to have known him.
I'm sending all my best wishes to Denise and Eugene and your family.
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