David Ennis Woodrum

March 25, 1939 – April 19, 2026

David Woodrum of Seattle, Washington, passed away on April 19, 2026, at the age of 87, at home surrounded by his family.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Susan, and his three children, Jennifer Taylor (Steven), Rebecca Seliga, and Richard Woodrum (Kim). He has nine amazing grandchildren: Nicholas, Matthew, and Katherine Taylor, Abigail and Samuel Seliga, Annie and Emily Woodrum, and Kiel and Josh Monks. He was also delighted to welcome his first great-grandchildren, Teddy and Milo Taylor, who arrived on April 17th of this year!

David was born on the kitchen table in Greenview, Illinois, on March 25, 1939. He often said that he and his brother, Richard, had an ideal early childhood in this wonderful small town, living with four generations of their family above their grandparents’ local funeral home.

At the age of 12, David, his mother, and his brother contracted polio, which altered the course of his life but not his drive, ambition, or determination to achieve his life’s dreams. David’s mother, Wardella, passed away from polio during that time. His father, Raymond Barry, later remarried Anne, and David was blessed with another brother, William.

Following high school graduation, David attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and later the University of Illinois Medical School. He completed his post-medical school studies at both the University of Illinois Medical School and the University of Washington Medical School. He joined the faculty of the University of Washington Medical School in 1970 and became a beloved neonatologist and Professor of Pediatrics, conducting research, caring for sick and premature babies and their parents, teaching medical students, house staff, and fellows, and collaborating with colleagues he adored.

The understanding of medical ethics and its role in the treatment of vulnerable, sick people always interested David. In the 1990s, he took a sabbatical to obtain certification in health care ethics. He was instrumental in establishing clinical medical ethics services at both the University of Washington Hospital and Seattle Children’s Hospital. He ended his career as a Prenatal Consultant with the Maternal and Fetal Medicine Clinic at the University of Washington, where he helped parents navigate the challenges of complicated pregnancies and their babies’ health.

David often said he was blessed beyond his wildest dreams and felt so fortunate to have lived the life he did.

A celebration of David’s remarkable life will be held on Sunday, May 17, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle, WA 98121. Please let the family know if you plan to attend by emailing [email protected].

Memorial contributions can be made to the David E. Woodrum Faculty Teaching Award Fund, UW Medicine, Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98195. Please note “David E. Woodrum Faculty Teaching Award Fund” on the check, or donate online at https://give.uwmedicine.org/give/?source+FND-136889