In Memoriam: Dennison Charles Kerlee, MD (Aug. 28, 1945 - July 18, 2022)

Dennison Charles Kerlee was born at Cooke Camp, CA, lived and traveled around the world, and died in Seattle WA from complications of a spinal cord tumor.

The only child of a single mother, Den grew up in Southern California, attending a different school every year, then graduating from Mira Costa Mesa High, where he was honored as an outstanding alumna in 2015. To earn pocket money during his youth, Den played bit parts in “Leave it to Beaver” and “The Twilight Zone.”

In 1967, Den joined the Navy hoping to spend time at sea as a medic. He quickly learned that Marines use Navy medics when he was shipped out to the jungles of Vietnam. Den was awarded two purple hearts.

After Vietnam, Den attended the University of Hawaii-Manoa, making life-long friends and meeting his future wife, Anne Miller. They married in 1972, taking a year-long honeymoon to travel the US in a camper van. They worked several months at the newly-opened Disney World -- Den looked great in his Tinkerbell Toy Shop uniform.

After graduating from the Physician Assistant program at Duke University in 1976, Den and Anne moved back to Hawaii where he worked at Waianae Health Center (son Drew born). The Kerlee family then moved to Bellevue, WA where Den worked at the Seattle Indian Health Board (son Jensen born), taught at UW Medex program, worked 25 years at Group Health Cooperative, and retired from Eastside Family Medicine.

Den loved adventure, biking, hiking, and travel. Highlights include being a medical provider on Semester at Sea in 2001 and 2004 and working in Bedford, England 2007-2009.

Den will be remembered for his kindness, zest for life, humor, and service to others. Den served in several church leadership roles, and worked with Congregations for the Homeless and local food banks.

Den leaves his wife, Anne, and his beloved sons Drew (Alison Dodge) Kerlee and Jensen (Tina Curl) Kerlee, and grandchildren Robin, Rowan, and Josiah, who knew Den as Opa.

Den donated his body to UW Medical School's Willed Body Program. A service will be held in September at East Shore Unitarian Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local food bank. A special thank you to the staff at the Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Unit at the Seattle VA hospital for their excellent care and kindness.