In Memoriam: Manfred K. Joeres, MD ( January 11, 1937 - December 3, 2024)

Manfred K Joeres, MD passed away at home with his loving wife at his side from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Manfred immigrated to the US from Germany when he was in his mid-teens. He lived through heavy bombing in Stuttgart as a small child, hiding in bomb shelters with his mother and younger siblings.

Settling in Baltimore, he eventually joined ROTC at Western Maryland College. After graduating from medical school at the University of Maryland, he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, 509 Infantry (airborne), stationed in Germany. The first time he returned to his homeland, he was a US soldier.

Completing his Psychiatric residency in Seattle at University of Washington , he went into private practice before joining GHC in the early 1980’s, spending his later years in Olympia, WA. He and his wife, Barbara K Burke took early retirements so they could travel. Manfred worked as a traveling locum tenens in Auckland, NZ and Tasmania, Australia. They bought a winter home in Peoria , AZ and spent 12 years as snow-birds. He continued to work locum tenens at Olympia GHC when he was in town.

Manfred had many interests which stimulated his active mind—he belonged to book clubs, joined the bonsai society, had many boats in his life (participating in building a 37-foot sailboat and guiding the building of a 38-foot Devlin motorboat).

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara K Burke; beloved son Stephan Joeres; stepsons Brent and wife Denise Burke (children Zach and Haley) and Derrick and wife Lea Anne Burke (children Lora and Terra).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Funeral Alternatives in Tumwater, WA in late March/early April.