Dr. Jerry De Groot, MD
January 4, 1929 - October 29, 2016
Obituary
Dr. Jerry De Groot was born in Everett, Washington in 1929. He lost his battle with cancer on 10/29/2016. During the years between he lived a full, rewarding and successful life. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 37 years, Ruth, who passed in April of 2011. He is survived by his three children, Rob and his wife Elizabeth, Glenn and Tian and and her husband Scott, as well as Grand Children and a Great Grandson. He is also survived by his several of his brothers and their spouses, Art and Grace, Hank and Margaret, and Walt and Willene.
Dr. De Groot attended the University of Washington, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology, and became a lifelong Huskies fan. He next completed a stint in the Navy, serving on the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) during the Korean War as a lieutenant.
Following his time in the Navy, he applied to, and was accepted to George Washington University’s Medical School in Washington DC. Upon his successful completion of Medical School, he completed his residency at Harborview Hospital, having moved back home to Washington State. He would later meet Ruth, whom he married in 1973, and moved to Renton where he lived for nearly 40 years.
Dr. De Groot chose to focus his practice on Obstetrics and Gynecology, and brought many new lives into the world with remarkable success. He later became the Chief of Staff at Highline Hospital, where he displayed a knack for the management and leadership equal to his skill as a physician.
During his life, the Jerry had the opportunity to adopt three children; Rob, Glenn and Tian. He was a loving and supporting father, who shared his passion for Husky Football, first, and later his love for both Seahawks Football and Seattle Mariners baseball. Later he and Ruth became doting grandparents, when his oldest son Rob provided his first Grand Daughter, Ashton and then later Kaelen, followed by his only Grandson, Conner. Glenn has provided two more Grand Daughters, Celina and Lindsey and finally his Grand Daughter Ashton bestowed upon him his only Great-Grandson, Maddox Timothy.
During his life, he took many opportunities to support the Huskies, including becoming a member of the Tyee Boosters Club, and making several trips to watch the team in Pasadena, when they achieved the pinnacle at that time, a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. Dr. De Groot also enjoyed salmon fishing and boating, as well frequent trips to the favored vacation destination of he and Ruth, Hawaii.
Dr. De Groot retired from the full time practice of Medicine in 1996 following heart surgery. However he stayed active in the medical field, providing subject matter expertise to the mid-wife program at Highline Hospital for many years as well as serving as the Medical Director for the Highline Medical Services Organization. He remained active in supporting the yearly USS Gunston Hall reunions as well. In April of 2011 he was devastated by the untimely death of his wife Ruth, who was a cancer survivor.
In lieu of flowers at the funeral, the family would request donation be made to the USO or the local chapter of the Navy League.
Will miss you. Enjoyed working with you at HMSO. Your caring attitude and smile were a treasure. Thanks for your years of service to this country. Wish we could haver had one last dinner. Prayers for your family as they say Good Bye