DR DAVID GIMLETT

Dr. David M. Gimlett Dr. David M. Gimlett, a dedicated family physician for nearly 50 years, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2017 in Tacoma, Washington at the age of 83. He was born in Salt Lake City to parents Mildred and Irwin Gimlett. Dave grew up in Tacoma, graduating from Stadium High School in 1951. He wanted to be a physician early on, and worked in local hospitals as a teenager. He chose his medical education via a unique pathway: one year at Harvard; pre-med with a major in English at Stanford University, graduating in 1955; one year at the University of Washington in organic chemistry, philosophy, and literary criticism; the following year at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, in medicine; then graduating from the University of Washington with his M.D. in 1961. Dave started his family practice in Lakewood, and while there served as president of the board at Lakewood General Hospital. Moving on to be close to the water he loved, Sherrie and he relocated to San Juan Island, where he was Medical Director of the Inter-Island Medical Center. After ten years they moved to Edmonds, where he served in urgent care for seven hears with Everett Clinics. Returning to Steilacoom in 2000, he again worked in urgent care before finally retiring at age 80. Over his nearly 50 years in family practice Dave delivered some 2000 babies and advocated vigorously for single-pay medical care. Dave was a renaissance man, with broad interests ranging from science to philosophy, music to literature. He was always learning and enjoying life. Dinners with family and friends coupled with plays, ballet, and the symphony were savored. "Messing about in boats" was another love, as he and Sherrie plied the waters of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and points north. Ready for new adventures, they travelled to Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Mexico, and Alaska, and their favorites, Hawaii and Sun Mountain. Family was always important, especially the annual retreats down to the ocean, beginning with treasure hunts in the early years and later to Dave's famous wine-tasting sessions He is survived by his beloved wife, Sherrie, of 42 years, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, one brother, and numerous nephews and nieces. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. His legacy lives on as one who lived his entire life fully serving others and as a passionate activist for social justice. "Some lives are like a song, every note rare and precious, we feel grateful to have heard the music." Anon.