Obituaries
David Willis Grauman
April 4, 1933 - January 9, 2015
Visitation:
4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle
4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington
Service:
4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington
4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington
David Willis Grauman, MD
1933 - 2015
David Willis Grauman, M.D.
David Willis Grauman, MD
David Willis Grauman, M.D. of Bellevue passed away peacefully on Friday evening, January 9th, 2015 with Joyce, his loving wife of 57 years, at his side.
Dave was born in Seattle on April 4th, 1933 to Helen Goulard Grauman and Arthur Henry Grauman, both from families with roots extending back to the earliest settlers of Washington and Oregon.
Dave attended Seattle Junior Academy and graduated from Auburn Academy in 1951. At Walla Walla College he majored in chemistry with minors in mathematics and zoology. He served as editor of the college newspaper, the Collegian, studied piano and performed clarinet with the Walla Walla Symphony, graduating in 1955.
Following his father's example, Dave pursued a career in medicine. While in medical school at Loma Linda University in California, Dave met Joyce Marie Moore. A mutual love of music brought them together, and they married in 1957. In 1958 they celebrated the birth of a son, Arthur Henry III.
An internship with the US Army followed, at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, then service for two years at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, where the young couple lit up life on the base with their style and sense of fun. A second son, Thomas David, arrived in 1961. Dave would continue military service in the Washington State National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, 50th General Hospital, achieving the rank of Colonel (O-6), U.S.A.R.
A return to the Northwest led to a surgery residency at Virginia Mason and the birth of a daughter, Joyce Alison, in 1964. Fulfilling a long-held dream to live and practice on the Eastside, Dave moved his family first to Kirkland, then Bellevue. A second daughter, Nancy Elaine, arrived on Election Day, 1968.
Dave thrived as a general surgeon, specializing in breast and laparoscopic surgery. His CV lists many publications and offices held at Overlake Hospital, King County Medical Society, Washington State Medical Association, Physicians' Insurance, and Evergreen Hospital. Other memberships include the American Board of Surgery, the American Colleges of Surgeons and General Surgeons, the Seattle Surgical Society, and the King County, Washington State, and American Medical Associations.
Long time surgical colleague Dr. Dave Davis describes Dave as a doctor guided by "common sense, kindness, optimism and good humor" whose skills were "fast, accurate, and efficient."
Dave's wit was legendary. His gift for diffusing a tense moment with a perfectly timed one-liner made him a much sought-after advisor and conciliator. "The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant," wrote his hero, H. L. Mencken.
Classical music was a passion. Dave admired skilled musicians and gave generously to many musical organizations. He served the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, most notably on the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, seeing through with Jerry Schwarz the completion of Benaroya Hall. A champion of endangered instruments, Dave in midlife switched from clarinet to baritone horn, trombone, and tuba and joined the Bellevue Community Band. His musical granddaughters, Alexandra and Beatrice, knew him affectionately as "Oompapa."
In 2001, Dave retired from private practice and began a new phase in his medical career. He travelled twice to East Africa as a relief physician for Medical Teams International. For six years he enjoyed working part time as Ship's Physician for Holland America, touring the world with his beloved Joyce. His last job was with Northwest Clinical Research in Bellevue, where he delighted in being the senior doc on a diverse staff.
In his later years, vegetable gardening was an annual obsession. Completing a Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle-in pen-was a point of pride, as Joyce can attest. Dave loved exploring the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest, catching lines for fellow boaters in the Seattle Yacht Club, whose members he served as Fleet Surgeon from 2004 to 2008.
As a life-long member of Greenlake Church in Seattle, Dave chaired numerous committees, taught Sabbath School classes, and was active in all aspects of the choir and music program. Despite skewering the absurdities of organized religion, Dave nonetheless found great comfort in his faith throughout his life.
Dave is survived by Joyce, Arthur, David, Tom, Caroline, Alison, Ron, Nancy, sister Janet and grandchildren Alexandra and Beatrice, all of whom will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Medical Teams International, the Seattle Symphony, or a charity of your choice .
A memorial service will be held at 4pm on Saturday, February 14th at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle. Please sign Dave's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.
4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington4pm on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at Greenlake Church, 6350 East Green Lake Way North, in Seattle, Washington