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Donald Kay Memoriam
April 26, 1938-February 10, 2025
Dr. Donald Michael Kay, 86, of Delray Beach, FL, a longtime Bay Area resident, passed away on February 10, 2025, from complications of lung cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Bonnie Levinson; son, Stephen Kay and wife, Susan; daughter, Deborah Kay Reed and husband, Joseph; brother, Robert; grandson, Aaron and wife, Lyndsay; great-granddaughters, Poppy and Leni; grandson, Jesse and wife, Christy; grandson, Julian; niece, Liza Levinson Olmeta and husband, Felipe; grandnephew, Jack; and niece, Emily Levinson. Dr. Kay was married for 37 years to the late Judy Kay, who passed away in 1995.
A beloved dermatologist for 52 years, Dr. Kay founded Peninsula Dermatology in Burlingame. He was on staff at Mills-Peninsula Hospital, served as a Clinical Professor at UCSF and was an Attending Physician at SF General. In 2009, Dr. Kay received a Special Recognition Award from the Clinical Faculty Association at UCSF.
Following undergraduate studies at UCLA, Dr. Kay received his BS and MD degrees from UCSF School of Medicine. He served as a Medical Officer in the US Air Force in England and then completed a three-year residency at UCSF.
Everyone admired Dr. Kay's style and joie de vivre. He was a true renaissance man who loved music, theatre, fine art, literature, gourmet food and wine. He was an accomplished classical pianist, as well as an avid skier and hiker. He traveled the world with family and friends, and enjoyed many wonderful adventures.
Donations can be made to fund dermatological research at UCSF, or to fund Jewish programming at Hospice by the Sea, Trustbridge Foundation. Please request that your contribution is directed to supporting Jewish programming. https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/dermatology
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Kay
Ann Minahan
April 15, 2025
I am so saddened to see that Dr. Kay has passes. I worked for Dr. Kay for 15 years. He was the most caring man and treated me with the utmost respect and kindness.
My thoughts and prayers to his beautiful family
Dominic Cappucci M.D.
March 11, 2025
sorry you are gone
Christine Dailey
February 28, 2025
Dr Kay was my dermatologist from 1971 until the month he retired, some 50+ years later. He was so kind to his patients; his empathy got me through rough patches as a young adult with skin problems. As we continued to age over the decades and I sought his treatments, we were like old friends as we discussed families and foreign travels. I miss him very much. My condolences to his family.
George H. Cohen, M.D.
February 18, 2025
Don was a friend and my dermatologist for many years. We shared the love of the piano and had occasion to play duets together. He was a skilled physician, and artist and a true gentlemen. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.
Ed Paulus
February 13, 2025
Dr Kay was a kind and gentle soul. I was his patient during my high school years and he helped me during many challenging times. I could never thank him enough for everything he did for me.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Noel
February 12, 2025
Steve ,
Sorry to learn the news. Still remember your dad taking us skiing when the USA won the gold medal in hockey !
Huggs
Noel
Anna Traverso
February 12, 2025
I was a patient of his since the late 1970s. To his family, please accept my condolences for your loss.
Deborah Nurisso
February 12, 2025
I worked for Dr. Kay for 17 years at Peninsula Dermatology. He was an amazing employee and friend. He treated us all with kindness and respect, He was a class act and will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie and his family. Rest in peace, Dr.Kay.
Mary Hughes Stone
February 11, 2025
Dr Kay was my dermatologist beginning as a teenager until his retirement when I was in my sixties! He treated three generations of my family and he was beloved. We discussed what we were reading, travel, SF restaurants and of course his wife, children and grandchildren. What a great physician and a remarkable life. He is missed.
Holly
February 11, 2025
Dr Kay was for a time my dermatologist. He was so popular it became more difficult to see him so I saw other doctors in the practices. The difficulty in getting an appointment to see him was a testament to his goodness and popularity. I am saddened to read of his passing.
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