Patrick Alan Lynch
September 16, 1920 - February 2, 2011
Obituary
Dr. Patrick Alan Lynch
Dr. Patrick Alan Lynch died February 2, 2011 in Seattle at the age of 90. Pat was born in Portland, Oregon on September 16, 1920. He attended the University of Oregon and the University of Nebraska. He received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He interned and completed his residency in radiology at Cincinnati General Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pat was discharged as a Captain in the Army Medical Corps in 1948. Pat held a fellowship in radiotherapy from both Ellis Rischer State Cancer Hospital in Columbia, Missouri and Penrose Cancer Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was also a diplomat of the American Board of Radiology and the American College of Radiology. Pat practiced in Yakima for 30 years and was a founder/partner of Yakima’s Medical Center X-Ray, Central Convalescent Hospital as well as staff president at then St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. While in Seattle he found time to serve as clinical professor of radiology at the University of Washington. Together with his good friend Dr. Bill Hutchinson and Dr. Donnell Thomas, as well as several other doctors, Pat helped establish the groundwork for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. With time left over, he founded Cascade X-Ray Specialties and flew everywhere in his twin Apache with Nancy hanging on for dear life. After retirement, Pat spent time as radiologist for the Sitka, Alaska medical community.
In his nine lives, ‘Sparkplug’ Lynch served as our vet, pediatrician, medical guru, financial advisor, devoted husband to his beloved Nancy for 65 years, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy and son-in-law Bob Franklin, granddaughters Julie and grandson-in-law Michael Carlos, Sarah and grand-son-in-law Peter Berkley, as well as great granddaughters Lauren Carlos and Elliot Berkley, and great grandson Jake Carlos. We could not have been more blessed. Memorials to the King County Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
There were pages more I could have written for my dad- honors, awards, titles. The list went on. But what was important to him was his family. His granddaughters and three great grandchildren are mini Pats in every way…the genes have gotten stronger with each generation. When my mom died last year, the spark went out of his eyes. He was finally defeated. Thank you to his devoted technicians, both in Yakima and Alaska, who carried on with memories of Yakima and Cascade X-Ray during years of lunches together. You know who you are and we couldn’t thank you more.
Kathy
Dear Kathy and Family,
My sincere condolenses on the passing of your wonderful Dad Pat and your Mother Nancy. I did not know she too had passed away. The last time I saw them was running into them on the wine train through Woodinville. I grew up in Yakima and was a good friend of Big P and Sally. Your Dad called me cuddles..And your Dad always held a special place in my heart. I recall fond memories of the caboose at Sequim and other adventures during high school and after. He was especially helpful to me when in need of a radiologist in Seattle…He said to me “If you can’t see McClure you call me…I only want you seeing him” and when he retired Pat told me who to see next. He was a larger than life man and while I didn’t have the chance to see him much in later years he remained an influence in my life. I know you will miss him very much, Warmest regards, Gail
I had the privilege of meeting both your parents many years ago through mutual friends, Chuck and Mary Dickinson. I know how passionate Dr. Pat was about healthcare and he actively helped our Foundation successfully raise $20 million dollars for the NEW hospital on US Hwy 98 not too far from their condo at Hidden Dunes. Your family is in our prayers.
God bless,
Sheryl Johnston
Sr. Development Coordinator
Sacred Heart Foundation
I send my thoughts and prayers to you with the loss of your beloved father, he was a very special man. Your dad leaves a legacy of love, a truly cherished gift. He will be greatly missed.
In sympathy, Meryll
My condolences to the Lynch family. I have told a story about how Dr Lynch saved my life to hundreds of people over the last 20 years. I swam on the Yakima Blue Marlins swim team. One summer at Franklin pool I swam a race with a big wad of bubble gum in my mouth. When I finished the race I blew a bubble. Dr Lynch was the timer in my lane and he watched me blow this bubble. He hustled me out of the pool and asked me “do you want to grow up to be an adult?”. He cared enough about me to let me know the consequences if I had aspirated the gum.
Today, almost 50 years later,I am a dental coach and speaker. I challenge my teams to care enough about their patients,like Dr Lynch did for me. If they see something in their lifestyle or habits that could shorten their life, be sure to speak up.
My husband and I had such good memories of Pat when he came to Sitka. My husband was a Family doctor there for many of the years Pat came there. We moved to the Seattle area 7 years ago and didn’t realize Pat was living in this area, or we might have called and had some jokes with him. I know you will miss him, but be thankful for all the good memories.
Kathy, Bob & Family:
I only met your Dad a few times, but I really enjoyed visiting with him. He was knowledgeable, fun, a great conversationalist and very obviously a devoted family man. My heartfelt sympathy on your loss.
Oh what fun and memories we have of Pat & Nancy. Our trips with them to Italy & Spain,our week with them in Seattle & on their boat in Canada,their week with us in Maine, how they spoiled our dogs Buffy & Rosie and had them come for “sleep overs”. They were very special friends that we miss .
Dr. Lynch was a wonderful, caring man to work with at YVMH radiology in Yakima. I have thought of him often and am happy to know he has enjoyed his retirement with his family. He gave me the nickname “Shelly” while I worked there, and I think of him every time I here the name.
Pat and Nancy were good friends with my parents-in-law in the ’70s and ’80s, Linc and Lorna Ries. Linc and Pat co-owned a twin engine plane for a time. They also owned vacation properties near one another on Sequim Bay where Pat and Nancy installed a caboose as a vacation home. I used to borrow Pat’s old Ford pickup for dump runs in the ’70s. Pat was revered in Yakima’s medical community when he practiced here and left as a legacy the radiology services we enjoy in our community today. I liked Pat a lot back when I knew him here in Yakima. He was a good guy, a genuinely good guy.
Dear Kathy and family,
Our sincere condolences.
Patrick has left a great legacy in Yakima. He was a teacher, boss, mentor, colleague and a friend to both of us. We think of him often and will continue to do so with fond memories.
Our thoughts are with you,
Cork and Judy Lewis
We have many wonderful memories of Pat. All of them later in his life,since we became good friends only after he and Nancy were in Florida. We did a lot of hanger flying Bob can explain that term. This has created quite a void for many of us that were privileged to have known him.
“Ebullient” is the way I remember Dr. Lynch. He was grandfather-in-law to our son and great-grandfather to our granddaughter, and our family has felt blessed to be united with his. His legacy is an excellent one, written now on the next three generations. Our condolences to all who called him father and Boppa!
Just beautiful, Kathy.
Yes, your dad would surely have loved your wonderful words; how could he not? Take care, Bob