Alan Lane Webster Gunsul, MD
April 24, 1926 - March 28, 2020
Obituary
We have lost our Patriarch
Alan Lane Webster Gunsul, MD (AKA Sweetheart, Dad, Granddad, “The Gunsul”, Doc, and Old Grumpy) passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 28, 2020. He was just weeks away from his 94th birthday. He had his usual busy morning; making a big breakfast with his wife Katherine, solving the crossword puzzles together, working in his greenhouse, and reading. They then lay down for an afternoon nap and he never woke up. It was how he wanted to die – at home with his wife by his side. Although in declining physical health, his mind was as sharp as ever right to the end.
Alan was born in Ketchikan, Alaska on April 24, 1926 to Justus Frank and Phyllis Webster Gunsul. He was the eldest of four children. At a young age, Alan’s family moved to Tukwila and owned a farm. He told tales of him and his brother Brooks “golfing” the round heads off the hated kohlrabi, and then assuring his mother that “the rabbits must have gotten it”. Alan attended Foster Grade School and then Foster High School. He played in the backfield of the first championship football team in 1943. He earned three football letters and two track letters for sprinting.
Alan was drafted in June 1944 and was assigned to the Cryptographic School. He was sent overseas to an intelligence team in Macedonia. He served after VE Day in Athens, Greece, then a year in Naples, Italy, before being discharged in July 1946. He was awarded a Bronze Star. Alan was proud of serving his country, and wore his Veteran hats frequently around town in his senior years.
Alan had wanted to be a doctor since he was six and started at Seattle University in September 1946 in the Pre-med program. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Jean Davis, in September 1947. They worked multiple jobs (Boeing clerk, taxi driver, gas meter reader) to get him through his undergraduate studies and then the University of Washington medical school. When he finally graduated in 1955, he and Barbara had four children. They were also supporting Alan’s two younger siblings, Craig and Diane. He took responsibility for them when his mother passed away in 1951. It was a hard but rewarding time. A fifth child was added in 1957.
Alan moved to Burien for his internship year with Jack R. Morrison, MD, and then became a General Practitioner. He practiced medicine for 43 years in Burien, loving his work, and retiring in 1999. He particularly enjoyed delivering babies, and helped multiple generations of many Burien families into the world.
Alan was one of the founding doctors of Burien General Hospital (now CHI Franciscan Highline Medical Center) in 1958. He also served on the committee converting Riverton Sanitarium to Riverton General Hospital in 1958. He served many positions on both hospital staffs, up to and including Assistant Chief of Staff at Riverton and Chief of Staff at Highline. He was involved at Highline in one form or another for 57 years. He was a test subject for the newly formed Family Medicine Specialty exam and was a Charter Member of the American Board of Family Medicine in 1969. He later became a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.
Alan believed strongly in giving back to the community, both monetarily, and with his time. He created and served for 28 years as the volunteer team doctor for Highline High School’s football team, and encouraged other area physicians to do the same for the other district high schools. He also created and gave yearly lectures to Highline High School and Gregory Heights Elementary School 4-6 grades on “Body Changes in Adolescence.” These lectures started in 1960, long before sex education was offered in our schools. A scholarship was established at Highline High School for the graduating senior who best exemplified Alan’s community service ethic. He tried to attend every scholarship awards ceremony and was impressed by the caliber of the students.
Family was very important to Alan. A favorite place for the extended family was Long Beach, Washington. The family started going there in 1954 for vacations and the kids each got brand-new sweatshirts every time, a different color each year. Starting in 1979, the family spent every Thanksgiving weekend in Long Beach. Everyone that could come each year would gather to prepare and eat a traditional meal, then play poker, and watch football. A group picture was taken annually to memorialize the event.
Alan had many hobbies: he loved gardening in his greenhouse, playing computer games, and cooking. He also, throughout the years, brewed beer, became a wine expert with an extensive wine cellar, and went on wine buying trips. He learned to sail in an El Toro in Lake Burien and enjoyed racing, first in a Thistle then in a Catalina 27. He then became a cruiser in a Downeaster 38. All his boats were named Andiamo, Italian for “let’s go”. Alan gave up sailing only when he turned 80 and lost Barbara to cancer. He attended every Summer Olympics from 1968 (Mexico City) to 2016 (Rio), (except the boycotted 1980) enjoying the Track and Field events. He loved live theater, with season subscriptions to Seattle Rep, ACT, and the Burien Actors Theater along with annual trips to the Ashland Shakespearean Festival. He was a long time member of the University of Washington Tyee Club, enjoying tailgating before Husky football games. He was a charter ticket member of the Seahawks.
Alan was fortunate to have two great loves in his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara, and had 58 years and 5 children with her. When Barbara died in 2006, Alan was devastated. However, after a while, he started attending the local Senior Centers where he reconnected with several Foster High School class members. One of them introduced Alan to her widowed younger sister, Katherine Shults Ostrom, and, when he was 82, Alan and Katherine married in 2008. Together, they went on Holland America cruises, enjoyed good wine and good food, attended the Olympics, live theater, and events at the Senior Centers. Alan rediscovered his joy in ballroom dancing; they went dancing three times per week for years, only stopping when Alan’s legs no longer worked for dancing. Kate also got Alan interested in the electronic organ. He sat down and taught himself to play big band songs.
Katherine E. Shultz Ostrom Gunsul, EdD, his siblings Brooks, Craig, and Diane; his children Magen, Alan, Moira, Maude, and Ian; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and a large extended family survive Alan. At his 90th birthday gathering, there were 68 relatives present. And a bagpiper!
Alan lived his life by several dictums from his father – “To succeed in life, one must sweat”, and “Ask others for help when you need it, if you do not ask for help, you deny others the pleasure of helping you”. Finally, “Always treat your wife like you are still on your honeymoon”.
Alan, Dad – we love you and miss you. However, we are sure that you are sitting with Barb/Mom, enjoying a glass of wine after a home-cooked gourmet meal, laughing about family stories and arguing about politics. Please save a place for us at your large table.
A celebration of Alan’s Life will be held later this year, once the COVID pandemic has calmed down to allow a public gathering.
The family suggests that remembrances in Alan’s honor be made to the Highline Medical Center Foundation https://www.chifranciscan.org/our-foundations/highline-foundation.html or the Renton Regional Community Foundation for the SeaTac Senior Program http://www.rentonfoundation.org/index.html
Tom and Sue Taaffe
Doc Gunsul was the best physician ever and a great human being. He made going to the doctors office a pleasure. He was a wonderful conversationalist ( albeit a tad opinionated) and we considered him a friend. We will miss him.
Paul Tucker
Paul Tucket
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for all your kindnesses. Much love.
I will miss your wisdom that you shared during our weekly Wednesday lunches. I will miss all the stories you shared about your very interesting life. Lunches will not be the same without you.
I grew up with Dr. Gunsul as my family doctor he was the best doctor I ever had, always sharp, always caring and to this day I can hear his voice, see his office and feel his heart warming personality! Thank you for taking care of me and my family all those years!!!
We met Dr and Mrs Gunsul a few years ago at the Chelan Cafe, (my Son Paul and I).
On Monday evenings at the Chelan the music was great and the usual crowd was there sitting in their usual seats. It was easy to spot the Doctor, he was either pouring another glass of wine for his lovely wife, dancing or singing WW2 songs.
They both took interest in my son who was a stroke patient and seemed to love talking to him and giving free medical advice.
The good Doctor made an impact on my life, I wish I knew him many years earlier.
God Bless you Alan Gunsul, we will always love you.
Paul Sr and Paul Jr
Our luncheons on Wednesdays at Seatac center will surely miss Alan and his varied responses to my Trivia tests. Always sharp, always lively. Kate will keep his spirit going, as we gather again soon to welcome back all our gang. Until then, special thoughts of Alan. Casey Cole
Joyce M. Laux
A wonderful person I had the privilege of meeting with my former partner, Larry Flock, who passed away two years ago. We always had an upbeat conversation with both Alan and Kate and I admired the energy and spunk of both of them. Kate, you were so fortunate to connect with Alan and have that wonderful,life for what must seem to you a short time. We were connected in the dancing community and I will always remember the very wonderful look on both of your faces when you were dancing to Lauren’s music either at the West Seattle senior dances or the VFW. You were both blessed.
Dear Family of Dr Gunsul:
Dr G was a great friend and employer for my mother.
After my father passed away due to a boating accident on Lake Washington, I was 5 at the time…had a brother one year older and a brother one year younger, Dr G employed my mother in his office. As kids I recall going to his office to help!! Some days my mother did not have a baby sitter, actually most days. Dr G helped put food on our table. I always remember how grateful my mother was for him. My mother passed in 2013, Doris Bixel. My father, Harry Curtiss was a great athlete, as well, graduating from Foster High in 1946. My mother graduated in 1950. Alan may have been in my Aunt’s class, Phylis Curtiss. She was a softball player and very athletic as well. She became a very successful teacher with honors for her work.
I want to you to know how much I appreciated Dr G. We had a rough time after my father passed tragically and Dr G was a bright spot in our lives. I am so grateful May he Rest In Peace.
We enjoyed knowing Dr. Gunsul, as patients, colleagues, and friends. Our son also enjoyed him, and Dr. Gunsul served as inspiration for him to pursue medicine as well. He seemed to have a very full, active, and enjoyable life.
My deepest sympathy to Dr. G’s family for your loss. His house was always full of kids and was a place of refuge for me at times. He and Mrs. G were always welcoming and a joy to be around. Their kindness has stayed with me a lifetime.
I worked as Lab tech for Dr. Gunsul in 1971-1973. Was my first real job. We all ate lunch together everyday. And when it snowed he came to our homes and picked us up to drive us to work. He was sailing then and would hang the sail to dry in the entry lobby of the building. It was such a pleasure working for him. A very compassionate Dr. /employer/person. So glad he lived a long and good life.
My family and I were patients of Dr. Gunsul from 1965 until he retired from his private practice. We kept in touch as I sent him tide books for his sailboats from Manson Construction every year. He got a big kick of my Manson nickname “Dragonlady”. We moved to Virginia in 2006 and on our trip back to the Burien area in 2017 we met at the Senior Center for lunch and dancing. It was fun talking about the good old days. He was always my “go to” person. I’ll miss him. Love to all of his family. Peace and comfort.
Phyllis Becker Williams
Dr. Gunsul – Thank you for your extraordinary example of leadership to Highline Medical Center and the entire Highline area. My hope is that your legacy inspires all of us to find ways to serve others. My thoughts and prayers are with your immediate and extended family during this time of bereavement.
Lee Dalyrymple Kaufman-Larson
I have many memories of your family. First at Normandy Park UCC. Knowing your mom was a wonderful experience. One time Barb told me “my idea of happiness is being able to take a hot bath without graham cracker crumbs floating around in the bathtub! We always laughed about that when you kids were small. Their yard, their lovely for family and my experience of teaching for Highline Schools, attending my first sex education class taught by Doc Gunsul was a memorizing experience..His absolute honesty, willingness to answer questions and no-nonsense explanations are still vivid in my mind as well as the absolute silence in the auditorium. What a gift he was and how wonderful it is to know he remained within the area his entire wife. My condolences to all of you, his second wife and to know he knew many true secrets of happiness and hard work. God bless you all. Lovingly Lee Kaufman-Larson
Dr Gunsul was our family doctor since before I was born. In fact Dr Gunsul delivered me in 1963 in Riverton General. He was a great Doctor and always warm with us. Thank you for everything and I hope you are enjoying yourself. You certainly deserve it sir.
sorry to hear of Dr. Gunsul’s passing
Friend of his second wife Katherine
Jane Haggerty