Sara Kay Zirkle

1939 - 2022

Sara Kay Zirkle
October 6, 1939 - June 19, 2022
Richland, Washington - Sara Kay Shilling Zirkle was born October 6, 1939 in Troy Ohio to Dr. Harry and Janet Shilling. She was later joined by her siblings Janet Sherman and Robert Shilling. Sara graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1961 and went to Duke University School of Medicine where she was Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Duke. While in medical school, she met and married Lewis Greer Zirkle in 1963. They went on to have three daughters: Elizabeth (spouse Chad Waetzig, Grace, Erin, Julia), Molly (Jackson, Eli, Theodore), and Julie (spouse Mark Jackson, Harry, Katherine, Sara).
Sara and Lewis made their life in Richland where they both practiced medicine and raised their family. They had a shared love of medicine, the natural world and their growing family. They held a mutual respect and were true partners in life. Her lifelong devotion to Lewis provided him the support he needed to dedicate time and energy to Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN).
Sara Zirkle was not only exceptionally smart, she was expansively kind, and she demonstrated both everyday as a developmental pediatrician, serving the Tri-Cities community for 37 years. Sara cared for multitudes of children who had behavioral and developmental needs. She tirelessly advocated for children who struggled with challenges and were mistreated, setting up the region's first sexual assault clinic and testifying on the behalf of those who had been abused.
Sara demonstrated a wholehearted love for fun and adventure. She could be found windsurfing up the Columbia River on a windy day or skiing down the mountain on a snowy day. Her joy was multiplied by having companions for these adventures and she was always up for one more run. Often she was accompanied by her family members in these adventures and we are better for the experiences we had with her. Each daughter and grand child was unique and special to her. She made time for each and loved nothing more than being with her family. It was a point of pride that she traveled with every grandchild on a trip of their choosing.
Over the last 50 years, Sara has given much to the Tri Cities community. During her entire career, Sara traveled to underserved communities on a regular basis to provide excellent pediatric care to children and families who would otherwise have none. From sitting on the hospital board, women helping women, the reading foundation to becoming a mediator in retirement, serving others has been a part of her life that has brought her much joy and satisfaction.