Joseph Terrence (Terry) Coyle II, MD

August 8, 1932 ~ July 21, 2016

Born in Bremerton, Washington Former President of Washington State Ophthalmology Association

Following in the footsteps of his Irish father (Joe Sr.), a respected physician and surgeon in Bremerton, Terry became a top neuro-ophthalmologist at the Eye Clinic of Bellevue. He took great pleasure in helping his patients see the world better. He retired at age 76 doing a job he loved.

His education included an undergraduate degree from Gonzaga University, a medical degree from Marquette Medical School (1957), specialization at Philadelphia General Hospital, and residency at Medical Center Louisiana New Orleans (LSU).

At Gonzaga he met our mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Clarke Coyle. He was a devoted husband and father to his five children.

Outside of his work at the Eye Clinic, Terry was an avid tennis player. He was the #2 man in Bremerton High School where they won the state championship. And #1 man at Gonzaga University. As a middle age player he won tournaments at Phantom Lake Tennis Club. Incredibly, at age 47, he defeated Gonzaga's #1 man!

Besides tennis he lived an active life with hunting, fishing, art auctions, garage sales, and second-hand stores. Known to be a dapper dresser, he leaned towards anything plaid. Every opening day of trout season saw the whole family mobilizing to eastern Washington to catch a limit of trout.

To our mother's concern, he would come home on the weekends with odd artifacts, purchased at auctions and garage sales. Often, once the item came through our house's front door, it would next be installed in a dusty, dark corner of our storage room.

Besides developing his intellectual and physical skills, he also was a regular communicant at Sacred Heart and St. Jude Catholic churches.

People knew him by many names: 'Terry', 'Dad', or 'Dr. Coyle'; but in all cases they remember him as a giving man. In life, people can be divided into 'givers' and 'takers'. Terry was a 'giver'. If patients asked him how much he would charge, he would immediately give a discount. If his children asked him to spend time with him, he would give it.

His giving attitude came from a life philosophy based on love. Love for life, his job, his patients, his family, and his wife. He was a great example to many. As children, and now as adults, we take pride when a stranger comes up to us and says with a beaming smile, "Oh, you're Dr. Coyle's kid."

Terry leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Betty; his five children (Steve, Mary, Joe III, Dan, and Laura); brother Roger, sister Cynthia (deceased), nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Since Terry donated his services every Tuesday to Seattle Children's Hospital for over 20 year, the family suggests contributions be sent to seattlechildrens.org in memory of Joseph Terrence Coyle, MD.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday August 13, 2016 at 11;00 am at St. Jude Parish in Redmond, Washington.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Jul. 28 to Jul. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Coyle

Sponsored by The Family.

10 Entries

Edie Beyer

August 21, 2024

Dr. Coyle came to my mind this morning. I frequently think about him and miss him. In 1985 I lost an eye in an accident in Alaska and was fortunate to get him as my surgeon and Eye Dr. So much compassion. I still can hear him say, "sweetie how are you doing" during my regular checkup. He was a treasure and will also hold dear to my heart.

Carol miller( Richard&Margaret miller)

February 28, 2022

It was a 1970 I was four years old, when our whole family became under his care and our family remained under his care till he retired and even my daughter and grandmother were his patients. He came out of retirement to take care of my daughters eyes until she was 11, (2003-2011)(I even had to use the emergency phone number that he gave my parents years ago for my daughter once Saturday because she said that her eyes were funny and she was having trouble seeing,I called him and he said meet me at the clinic and will find out what´s going on with Caitlynne`s eyes )years even though he wasn´t taking children at his clinic. He was a family friend to my parents he gave my parents his home phone number for emergencies long time ago because he cared and respected my parents and really liked us we loved him. As my parents are passed, it´s just my brother my daughter and we really miss him he was a very caring wonderful position. When the good Lord made him he broke the mold afterwards.

Ron Evezich

August 8, 2016

Terry was a wonderful friend and a great Doctor. Our son was born with a developmental disability and before long he was almost blind. Because of the nature of his eyes it was determined that traditional procedures would not work. For over twenty years Terry continued to research, consult with other Doctors, attempt seminars and who knows what else. Finally, a few years before he retired he found a Doctor in Eugene Oregon who thought he could help. After two successful operations our son is 20/20 and has a new life because of his increased vision. Not many physicians would have played the long game of devotion as Terry had. He will be missed.

Laura schlicker-Long

August 1, 2016

I was fortunate to have spent many hours in the Coyle home. Dr. Coyle made every person that walked through the front door feel special and loved. He was always kind, generous, funny and yes, quite dapper! Betty and the kids have been very blessed.

arthur swanson

July 31, 2016

Dr Coyle was my eye doctor till he retired.(over 25years). He was a friend and a great human being.
I retained him as a consultant on several cases and he always was very professional and honest.
I will miss him. He was one in a million.

Susan Rath

July 30, 2016

I doubt there are enough superlatives to describe Dr. Coyle, but if there were, he would embody them all. He was kind, loving, intelligent, athletic, humble, and had a great sense of humor. I had the joy to know him and his wonderful family over many years, first as a babysitter with his children who made time spent with them a delight, and then as an employee of the Eye Clinic for 25 years. I was blessed to work at his clinic for 25 years, and, I owe those years to Dr. Coyle. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and anyone who knew him. The world has been diminished, but we all can share memories of a unique man who set an example of a life well lived and loved.

Sharlene Kiger

July 29, 2016

I was just one of the many hundreds of patients that I was blessed to call Dr. Coyle not only my ophthalmologist, but one of the true gentlemen Dr.'s I have had the privilege of knowing. Always ready to answer any concerns, questions, he made each and every patient feel they were truly special to him. I teased him when he retired, saying he couldn't leave as we still needed him! (but for his sake, so glad he did!)
I send best wishes to his family, and thank them for allowing so many of us to know their husband, dad, and grandpa.
Sharlene Kiger
Sammamish, Wa

Class Reunion 2000

July 29, 2016

Oh, Terry - this is sad. We grew up together, lived a few blocks apart from one another, grade school, high school .. class reunions. While we didn't see one another often we recognized each other immediately when we'd cross paths.
Our birthdays are but a few weeks apart ..RIP dear friend.
Jane Walton Krueger

Class Reunion 2000

July 29, 2016

Oh, Terry - we grew up together, lived a couple of blocks from one another ... grade school, high school .. this has brought back so many memories. While it's been a few years since we've actually seen one another - we recognized one another when we did cross paths. RIP Dear Friend
Jane Walton Krueger

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