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BORN
1929
DIED
2025
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Herbert McKay Obituary
March 17, 1929 - January 15, 2025
University Place, Washington - Herbert Patrick McKay died on January 15, 2025, after a short period of hospice care in Milwaukie, Oregon. He was 95.
Herb was born in Tacoma, Washington, on March 17, 1929, to Tom and Rose McKay. He attended the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington School of Dentistry. After graduating, he served as a dentist in the Army before starting his own practice in Tacoma's Washington Building, which is where he met Donna Jean Flanigan, an office manager and dental assistant for Dr. Dale Murray. He married Donna on December 16, 1967, and they raised a family in the Tacoma suburb of University Place where they lived together until her death in 2018.
Providing a stable and secure life for his family was very important to Herb. He worked steadily to grow his practice while also taking good care of his employees, offering them generous vacations and retirement plans. He loved having projects and built the family a cabin on Anderson Island where they spent many happy summers and weekends. He also took a very hands-on role in the remodel of the family home in University Place, doing construction alongside the builder. He and Donna enjoyed time at home with their kids and dogs, gardening and traveling to places that were special to their family, such as Cannon Beach, Oregon, and cheering on the University of Washington football team at Husky Stadium. He loved working and continued to practice dentistry well into his 70s.
The people whose lives he touched remember him as generous, kind and funny. He met life's challenges with a commitment to hard work, determination, problem solving and perseverance.
He is survived by his son, Mark and daughter-in-law Marie McKay, daughter and son-in-law Jeanne McKay and Will Hartmann, son and daughter-in-law John and Abigail McKay. He loved his five grandchildren and enjoyed visits with son John's daughter Emma, who lived nearby. He spent his final years with his companion, childhood friend Marilyn Zetterberg.
He was predeceased by his wife, Donna, brother Tom McKay and twin sister Patricia Millette.
Herb's family requests that any honorary donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer's Association:
Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
www. alz.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Herbert McKay
Sponsored by Stehn Family Funeral Homes, Inc. (formerly Peake Funeral Chapel).
Lovingly sent from your niece Debbie Millette!
February 3, 2025
Uncle Herbie with his twin sister, Patricia and her husband, Rollo Millette. Taken in Bend Oregon. Summer 2008. They are all back together having a "Heavenly" time!
Mary Carlson
February 2, 2025
I worked for Herb from 1980-1991. He treated both his employees and patients like family. His kindness and compassion made him more like a father figure to me than a boss. We kept in contact through the years with yearly Christmas cards including a hand written letter updating me on himself and his family. His passing definitely leaves a hole in my heart. He was an awesome person. My condolences to Mark, Jeannie and John.
Ellie Froney
February 2, 2025
My condolences to Herb and Donna's children and families. They were very fine, kind, giving friends of my husband, Art, and our son, Ethan, and myself. I know Herb will be surely missed.
Debra Millette
January 31, 2025
Uncle Herbie! Sent with love, your niece, Debbie
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Debbie Millette
January 31, 2025
Robert Monsen
January 29, 2025
I knew Herb from Pierce County Dental Society.
A great person and dentist.
R M M
Linda Still
January 29, 2025
So sad to hear of Dr. McKay's passing. "Herbie" was the kindness, most gentle of men and dentists. He got me over my fear of dentistry, discovered that I was allergic to novocaine that fed my fear and would gently wipe tears from my face when I sometimes cried. I'm sure he's earned his place in Heaven. He'll be sorely missed.
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Stehn Family Funeral Homes, Inc.2906 SE Harrison Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
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