Thomas E. BERNDT M.D.

1943 - 2022

Dr. Thomas Berndt, M.D., passed away in his sleep at the age of 78 at his home in Spokane, Washington. Known as a gentleman, traveler, and warm soul, Dr. Tom had a twinkle in his eye, a dance move or two in his step, and an infectious zest for life.

He was born in Great Bend, Kansas on December 19, 1943, and died on May 19, 2022. He grew up in Southern California in the 1950s. He graduated college at the University of California Santa Barbara, did his medical training at the University of California Irvine, and became a specialist in family medicine at UC Davis Sacramento Medical Center.

Tom practiced medicine in Spokane for more than 30 years as a family medicine specialist, with an emphasis on wellness and prevention. His patients knew him for his caring manner and his concern for their overall well-being as people. In retirement, he continued with the Medical Reserve Corps and other volunteer work including emergency response after Hurricane Katrina. He also taught pathology for many years at Inland Massage Institute. He was a lifelong student of medicine and was constantly updating his base of knowledge.

Tom had a magnetic personality that always drew people in. He had a keen intellect, a quick wit, and a tendency to wax eloquent in philosophical conversations. He was extremely creative, artistic, and musical, and loved to laugh, dance and sing. His sister Barbara remembers dancing with him in their youth to Aretha Franklin's Who's Zoomin' Who? He was also, to the amusement of many, quite the expert ventriloquist.

The great and enduring love of Tom's life was Patty McNulty, his wife of 46 years, along with the family they created together. His life was extremely rich in friendships and love. He is survived by his wife Patty, son Ben, grandson Andy, daughter Kerry, son-in-law James and doggie Gilbert, as well as his sister Barbara Berndt Hankins.

Tom spent many happy days at the family's vacation home on the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico. He had a profound appreciation for Mexico's culture, climate, and food. He liked to tell people that he always carried around a pocket tortilla, just in case he found some good food to scoop up with it.

Dr. Tom had a deep and abiding love for sailing, and especially for the aquamarine waters of his beloved Sea of Cortez.

In his honor, find someone to engage in lively and intelligent conversation today. Kick up your heels to your favorite song. Hug your family and friends. Keep a smile handy. Perhaps carry a pocket tortilla. And most of all, always choose to see the beauty in the world, in a sunset over the ocean, in a sailboat peacefully passing over the horizon on its way to the next destination.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at pulmonaryfibrosis.org.