Eduardo Mendez

Eduardo (Eddie) Méndez, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 30, 1972, died peacefully with his wife and family at his side on January 5, 2018 after a courageous fight against cancer. Eddie graduated valedictorian of his high school class at San Ignacio (San Juan, PR) in 1990, and graduated from Princeton University in 1994. Following college, he attended the University of Maryland Medical School, graduating cum laude in 1999. He completed residency in Otolaryngology followed by a Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship at the University of Washington. He joined the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Washington as an Assistant Professor in 2006, rising up the ranks to Professor in 2018. He was co-director of Head and Neck Oncology Program at the University of Washington, Director of the Advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program, and Director of the Head and Neck Translational Research Program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Eddie dedicated his entire career to the treatment of Head and Neck cancer, and he has improved the lives of countless patients with head and neck cancer through his surgical abilities and his research advances. He was the first head and neck surgeon to provide minimally invasive robotic surgery in Washington State. He not only performed these procedures with deftness, but he was instrumental in disseminating his knowledge and skills through training of others. He maintained an NIH-funded research laboratory at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where he studied the drivers of head and neck cancer and mentored many research fellows. His basic science studies led to the first clinical trial of a drug that holds enormous potential to transform the treatment options and offer hope for those with advanced Head and Neck cancer. He has received numerous awards, including an American Cancer Society Find Cures Award. Aside from his professional successes, Eddie was an amazing and humble man who felt that fulfillment comes from the service your work provides others - and his was a very fulfilling life. He was a warm, funny, and loving man. He loved his career, his friends, his colleagues, but most of all his family. He was a loving dad (Papí) who enjoyed playing tennis, watching movies, dancing salsa, and being silly with his girls. He especially took immense joy from his children's talents and happiness. He is survived by his wife, Anne Manicone; daughters, Emma and Julia; brothers, George, Bobby, and Alfonso Méndez; sister, Maria Elena Ray; and mother, Belkys Méndez. He leaves behind many who love and miss him. In honor of Eddie, an endowment is being established in his name to help continue his legacy and work in Head and Neck cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online at http://supportuwmedicine.org/mendez or mailed to the University of Washington, Department of Otolaryngology, Eduardo Méndez Endowment, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356515, Seattle, WA 98195. A celebration of his life will occur at Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA on January 10, 2018 at 5 pm.

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Published by The Seattle Times from Jan. 8 to Jan. 9, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Eduardo Méndez

Sponsored by The Family.

21 Entries

Mark Sullivan

August 29, 2025

I was a patient of Dr Mendez. He saved me when I had stage 4 cancer. I didn't know that he had passed away
He was humble and I will always remember what he did for me
I am so sorry for your family I will pray for you. God bless you and your family

Marc and Shelli Avigo

February 15, 2019

Your beloved Eddie gave my Husband Marc a second chance...we were able to travel to all the National Parks!
We know God's grace and love worked through Eddie! We Thank You for Sharing your Eddie With us....Thankful Patient! Love Marc and Shelli Avigo Alaska!

Jeff Avila

January 19, 2019

I knew Eddie all 4 years at Princeton, and was saddened to read about his passing. I unfortunately lost touch with Eddie after graduating, though his remarkable career marked by compassion and achievement are of no surprise to me. I remember like yesterday his warm smile, genuine kindness and brilliant mind. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Jim Diamond

May 31, 2018

Wow, I just found out about Dr. Eddie's passing. He was a great doctor and human being and will be greatly missed. Dr. Eddie's pioneering techniques provided an alternative for me to the extremely invasive surgical procedures then being used for throat cancer. He saved my life. Now the same affliction that he battled so brilliantly has claimed him. I used to actually look forward to my follow-up visits with him. He and Allison made the periodic trip from Anchorage a pleasure instead of something to be dreaded. I didn't even mind too much when he scoped me. It has been several years since I last saw him, but I will never forget him. Rest in peace Dr. Eddie, you did good here on Earth.

Reza Macaraeg

February 19, 2018

I worked with Dr Eddie Mendez on Continuing Medical Education and physician outreach when I worked at SCCA. I had the opportunity to get to know him and enjoyed our discussions. He was one of the providers I admired as he was genuine; he was always sincere, friendly and could tell he had a good heart. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I think the world indeed lost a great man. My condolences to his family and his collegues. Rest in peace, Dr Mendez.

Reza Macaraeg

Cindy Baccetti

February 11, 2018

Dr. Mendez saved my husband's life from salivary gland cancer in June 2014. I was giving his name to a friend tonight when i discovered the news of his passing. I am simply heartbroken. We will never be able to repay him except to live a life of compassion and kindness as he clearly did. Rest in Peace.

Jaime Velasco

January 22, 2018

Rest in peace.

January 21, 2018

Eddie and I were residents at UW together. Overall Eddie was one of the kindest people I've ever known. I truly gentle soul who treated others with equality and love. His obvious dedication to his family and patients is an amazing role model for me and anyone who hopes to become a physician. Eddie embodies the spirit of humanity that, moving forward, must be encouraged and lived by all of us to evolve our world towards peace and health. It is an honor to have called him a colleague and worked with him however briefly in the beginning of my training.

Jed Kaufman, Seattle, WA

Bernie and Patti Silvas

January 18, 2018

Dr. Mendez was my husband's surgeon in October of 2016. We met with him and Dr. P and my husband became part of the study. We were so impressed. What a kind, brilliant, and caring man. Our hearts go out to his family and co-workers. We are so sorry for your loss. We thought we would be seeing him at one of the follow up appointments to thank him in person. We pray for you to be held in God's hands during this time of mourning and through the healing times ahead.

Steve Segadelli

January 15, 2018

I first met Dr. Mendez in May 2017 after being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma with unidentified primary site. It had spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. From the first moment of our meeting I was speechless and in awe of this amazing doctor. His kind, compassionate and positive attitude as well as expertise in this particular area set my mind at ease and I knew immediately how blessed I was to have him as my surgeon. I had surgery on June 13, 2017 and, along with his amazing team, am recovering and feeling better every day. I owe my life to Dr. Mendez and am saddened beyond belief to hear of his passing. Dr. Mendez was an angel to so many suffering from this disease and now he has returned and is resting in our loving Father's arms. The world has lost a pioneer in cancer research and cancer surgery. May his family, colleagues and friends find peace in knowing what an amazing man he was and how his work impacted the world. Rest in peace Dr. Mendez.

JJ Jackman

January 14, 2018

I worked with Dr. Mendez through the American Head & Neck Society, of which he was an active member. In his role as fellowship director for the University of Washington, Eddie and I had many opportunities to chat, both on the phone and at meetings. He was very keen to find ways to increase diversity in the ranks of head & neck surgeons, and I looked forward to working with him on this initiative. I'm just devastated that Eddie has died, even more so by the fact that the very disease he devoted his life to eradicating was the culprit that took him away from us. I will remember Eddie for his good humor and infectious energy.

January 12, 2018

My father saw Dr. Mendez when he was being evaluated for throat cancer. Dad has now been cancer free for nearly three years and looks forward to many more years thanks to Dr. Mendez and others. I never met Dr. Mendez but so grateful that he touched my family's life in the way that he did best.

Chris Tirres

January 12, 2018

I was a college roomate of Eddie's for three years. He was funny, generous, classy, and most of all, big-hearted. The world was -- and continues to be -- a better place because of him. Gracias, Eddie. You will be deeply missed, but not forgotten.

Justin Golub

January 11, 2018

Eddie was a great mentor, exceptional, I am very sorry to see him go.

Ted Williams

January 11, 2018

I am very saddened to learn of Dr. Mendez's passing. Eddie Mendez helped save my life in 2013 by surgically removing my stage 4 cancer. He was not only an amazing doctor but such a compassionate person. You could always tell that he loved his work, his family and his patients. His follow up communications with me and the fact he would call my wife to ensure she too was doing well, shows just how much he cared. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues.
He will truly be missed by all.

Sincerely
Ted Williams and family

Carl Lim

January 11, 2018

Dr Mendez helped saved my life from stage-4 salivary gland cancer in 2015. Despite the surgery carrying a high risk of permanent facial nerve damage, Dr. Mendez skillfully extracted my tumor avoiding that outcome. My family is forever grateful for all that Dr. Mendez did for us. May we all find inspiration from his great legacy. With our deepest condolence, Carl & Sue Lim.

Jeanne Hardie

January 10, 2018

Eddie Mendez saved my husband's life with his amazing surgical skills. He was always so supportive and caring. We miss him so much. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Aloha, Jeanne Hardie and David Ferrebee

Yaro Ralph

January 10, 2018

Eddie and I went to Princeton together, along with a group of 17(!) other Puerto Ricans. We were all extremely close during our four years at school. During breaks, when we all went back to the island, we visited each others' homes and sought each other out for years. Eddie was distinctly, radiantly, funny, friendly and sweet. I flash back to those times and I see his smile and twinkling eyes. Of course, he knew even back then he wanted to be a doctor, and, clearly he went on to have remarkable, globally-relevant success with his research and surgical work. I am heartbroken we have lost him so soon. To his wife, children and family, I extend my deepest condolences. May light perpetual shine upon dear Eddie.

Maricris De Junco

January 9, 2018

Our deepest sympathy to all the Mendez family. We knew Eddie as a sweet and very smart little boy when my Dad Ramon Fuentes and his Dad Alfonso Mendez were partners in San Juan.
May God Bless his soul and may peace fill your hearts.
Much love
Fuentes Family
And
DeJunco Family

Charles Bloch

January 9, 2018

I am very saddened to hear Dr. Mendez has passed away. He performed surgery on my H&N cancer in Dec. 2016 and thanks to him my life will go on. My deepest condolences to his family.

Tammy Gallagher

January 9, 2018

Eddie was truly the best resident that we ever had during my 28 years at Harborview. I always thought that he was ready to be an attending physician when he was just a third year resident. Besides being a great physician, he was so kind and lots of fun too. I am truly sad that he is gone.
Tammy Gallagher

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