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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 04/25/2009 08:39 AM Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 04/25/2009 08:40 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
:

Bear Valley Resident, David Bruce Downie, MD Passed Away on April 16th, 2009

David Bruce Downie, MD July 17, 1942 - April 16, 2009.... It is with heavy hearts that the family of David B. Downie, MD announces his unexpected passing from this life to be with Christ on April 16, 2009, at the young age of 66. Dave is survived by his wife, Edna Cate Downie of Cupertino, CA; son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Amber Downie of Adrian, OR; daughter and son-in-law Shannon and Kelly Coan of Los Altos, CA and first wife, Kathie Lloyd of San Jose, CA. He is dearly beloved by his sister and brother-in-law.....

Carol and Hugh Jones of Sleepy Hollow, NY and sister-in-law, Beth Downie of Bakersfield, CA, surviving wife of his beloved brother, Dr. Robert Downie. His nieces and nephews Wendy, David, Joy, Tiffany, Melody and Bryce all loved their Uncle Dave. He enjoyed his relationships with Edna's children, John and Jackie Cate and Julie and Scott Clinton and treasured his role as grandfather to Edna's grandchildren Matt, Meaghan, Collin, Jennifer and Steven. Dave was born in Detroit, Michigan to the Reverend Dr. Herbert L. and Lillian Downie.

He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1960, Occidental College in 1964 and from USC School of Medicine in 1968. After medical school, he moved to the Bay Area with his wife, Kathie, and completed his internship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center where he was honored by being selected Intern of the Year. After returning from Vietnam as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps, Dr. Downie began raising his family while completing his residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. Most of his noble career as an ENT Head and Neck Surgeon was at Sunnyvale Medical Clinic/Camino Medical Group and El Camino Hospital. Dave was called to be a physician at the age of 12 and was a true healer.

He served on the Board of Directors, was the chairman of numerous committees and was chosen as one of San Francisco Magazine's Top 500 Bay Area Physicians in 2001. Dr. Downie enjoyed teaching and was a Clinical Adjuvant Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Beloved by patients, colleagues and medical staff at El Camino Hospital and Camino Medical Group, in July 2003, after 25 years of service, Dr. Downie retired.

In his wedding vows to Edna three years ago, Dave referred to this time as the "autumn years" of his life. Dave loved to hike, bike, run, kayak, swim, golf and ski. His friends long ago gave up trying to keep up with his "retired" pace. He spent his time traveling with his wife, Edna, taking bike trips with dear friends and pursuing his photography hobby. He often gave his beautiful nature photographs to friends and as donations for fundraisers.

Music was central to Dave's core, whether singing as a beautiful tenor voice in his church choir, strumming his guitar around a family campfire or in bluegrass jam sessions with his buddies, The Foggy Memory Boys. Dave enjoyed working on home improvements, either at his home or in the homes of his kids. Perhaps his most recent joyful hobby was puppy sitting sweet Gemma and baby Jack, Shannon and Kelly's adorable labs. Dave found magnificence in nature and could often be found enjoying the family cabin in Bear Valley.

For Dad/Dave's 65th birthday he hiked Half Dome with his kids. His hands continued to heal as a volunteer physician at the RotaCare Clinic in Mountain View where his vision provided excellent ENT services. He was Chief Medical Consultant for Sinexus, a medical device start-up that is developing novel solutions for patients with chronic sinusitis. Dave loved a challenge and took each one as an opportunity to excel. Yet he seemed unaware of the greatness he often achieved. He was a humble servant, who as a Bear Valley friend said, "inspired, cared, loved and healed as a natural and everyday way of living."

Dave's faith was at the center of his life; he grew up in the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood and was a member of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church for nearly 40 years where he walked in fellowship with the Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study and the Chancel Choir. He participated in family camp, retreats and the emergency medical team

Dave now joins his parents and brother in eternal life as in Dave's own words, "Celebrate my being with Jesus with great joy. I am happy. I am at peace in the Lord."

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 2 PM at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church at 728 Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (408 739-1892). We hope you will join us in celebrating this wonderful man with the easy smile, gracious spirit and contagious enthusiasm who was loved dearly by his family, friends, profession, his faith community and his patients. In lieu of flowers, Dave would be gladdened by donations in his name to: Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church (www.svpc.us), Peninsula Open Space Trust (www.openspacetrust.org) or Camino Medical Group.

The family is compiling a book or memories/reflections, if you'd like to share the Dave Downie you knew, please email the family at davedowniefamily@gmail.com. God Bless.



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