King Alvin Aurelius Merendino

King Alvin Aurelius MERENDINO 1914 ~ 2011 K. Alvin Merendino, M.D., died at home on 9/10/2011, two months short of his 97th birthday. He was born in Clarksburg W.VA., one of 5 siblings. He received his undergraduate degree from Ohio Univ., his M.D., from Yale and his Ph.D. from Univ. of Minn. While there, serving as Asst. Professor of Surgery, he was influenced greatly by Dr. Owen H. Wangansteen and Dr. C. Walton Lillehei. His distinguished career in surgery at the U. of W. spanned over 35 challenging years. His excellence in the practice of surgery, skill in administration, brilliance and innovation in research and his association with the Medical Center brought much distinction to the University and helped establish it's international reputation. In 1956, he performed the first open-heart surgery on the West Coast and set a precedent in pioneering new surgical methods. He was known by many of his colleagues, friends and patients as a brilliant, distinguished, innovative, compassionate and inspiring man. His influence challenged and mentored people to think outside of traditional systems andwas revered by many because of it. He helped establish the Renal Transplantation Program, directed the U of W Experimental Laboratory for 22 yrs. and published over three decades of their research efforts. His most recent challenges and achievements came at the end of his tenure at the U of W when he was invited to Saudi Arabia to become the Head of the Dept. of Surgery at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh. He became the Director of Medical Affairs and also had a major role in the oversight, completion, and administration of two other major hospitals in the Kingdom, as well as establishing their surgical training programs. He graduated the first class of students at their Medical School. During that time he had the opportunity to help thousands of patients as Director of Operations and was also Head of the Cancer Research Division. To those who knew him he was a warm, empathetic human being with a welcome sense of humor. He consistently gave outstanding attention and care to his patients, family and friends. As an outstanding role model he encouraged sharing knowledge and techniques with others and was an eloquent, articulate and often entertaining speaker. As a result of his forward thinking he so wanted to be around to see what the next 50 yrs. of medicine might bring. In doing so he and his devoted wife, Shirley of 68 years, established an Endowment Fund to create a Professorship in their names. This professorship is awarded to a U of W surgeon whose work is of the highest caliber in the tradition of excellence set by him. He believed his wife was paramount to his success and achievements, therefore requested that she also be named. In his retirement he discovered a love of painting with watercolors, enjoyed gardening, wrote a children's book, was an avid reader and didn't have a fear of new technologies and computers. Above all he was a humble man, devoted husband, and an exceptional father, grandfather and great-grandfather who we all cherished and will be sorely missed beyond words. He leaves his wife Shirley, five daughters; Cira, Nancy, Susan, Nina, and Maria, six grandchildren; Amy, Andrew, Bianca, Biagio, Blaise, and Dominic, five great grandchildren; Cal, Marina, C.J, Alvin, and Noel. His grandson Beau predeceased him. His sole remaining sibling is his talented sister Princine Tighe, a well known author and artist, residing in New York. There will be a private family service held on 9/30/2011. He requested donations to be made out to the K. Alvin and Shirley Merendino Endowment Fund at the U of W, Box 358240, 1200 Fifth Ave., Ste. 500, Seattle WA 98195. Sympathies may be extended to Shirley E. Merendino, 55 Spring Dr. N.W., Shoreline, WA 98177. Sign K. Alvin's on-line Guest Book at www.Legacy.com.