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Brendan McAdams Obituary
July 23, 1936 - February 18, 2024
Baltimore, Maryland - Brendan (Ben) V. McAdams, Jr. M.D. of San Luis Obispo, CA died on February 18, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.
Born in 1936 to Brendan and Ann McAdams, the oldest of five children, Ben graduated from Lowell (MA) High School in 1954 and Dartmouth College, graduating in 1958. Rather than accept an invitation to try out for the Green Bay Packers, he studied medicine at Hahnemann Medical College (now Drexel University), followed by a residency in orthopedic surgery. It was then that he met and married Kathryn (Pat) Ellison, a decision he would routinely describe as "the best decision I ever made."
After serving a two-year rotation in the US Air Force, he promptly relocated the family - wife Pat and children Brendan, Kelly, Kathleen, Sean and Terry - to San Luis Obispo. Embraced by the community, Ben passionately raised money, awareness, and engagement for the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, the SLO Symphony, SLO Repertory Theatre, 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, San Luis Coastal Education Foundation, and Transitions Mental Health. These organizations, along with family and friends, deeply feel the loss of Ben's spirited generosity.
A memorial service honoring Ben's life will be held on Saturday, March 23rd at 2PM at the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, 550 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or online:https://www.cfsloco.org/funds/gifts-in-memory-of-ben-mcadams/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brendan McAdams
6 Entries
Bill Young
March 24, 2025
I did not know Ben died until today - I am so sorry that I haven't told Pat and his family I lived with Ben and Pat for 2 years in Philadelphia while at Hahnemann.
We spend so many wonderful times together and even spent our interfship in Harrisburg PA together. Ben was a great friend , bigger than life and my heart will miss him and our memories
I haven't heard anything aboout Pat or his children, but I hope they get my note
Ben I loved you
Mark and Gigi Eckert
March 22, 2024
Wonderful person, mentor, patron of the arts. We will miss Ben, and Pat, we love you and your family so much. You have our deepest condolences and our prayers. He was attentive to Zachary and always had a kind word to say to and about him. I frequently observed Dr. McAdams as a fine orthopedist for years when I was working as an emergency physician at Sierra Vista and French Hospitals.
James Horn
March 19, 2024
Family of Ben;
I´m sorry for your loss. I had the honor of knowing him when his son, Ben, played for us in Pop Warner football. He was always a friendly and encouraging man. I might also say that his character shown through and one could plainly see he wasn´t an average individual. The fact that he was so well thought of by the community exemplifies his outstanding qualities. My prayers are with you all.
Vicki Meinhold Fogleman
March 18, 2024
I am so sorry to here of your family's loss. I knew him for many years from working at the hospital and when he was in partnership with Dr. Farmer. He was also a friend of my family and my parents. Prayers and love to the whole family.
Vicki Meinhold Fogleman
Patrick
March 18, 2024
Another doc in town once told me Ben "is the smartest man I know". I would add kind and generous as well.
Elizabeth Eggen Lesniak
March 13, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of this. What a wonderful life.
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