Elroy Burgwald

El was born on July 4, 1921 to Peter and Dora Burgwald. He grew up in Dwight, Illinois and later attended college and medical school in Chicago. Upon his graduation from the University of Illinois School of Medicine, he married Elaine Christman on December 20, 1944. After a weekend honeymoon, they left Chicago to begin his military service in the U.S. Public Health Service. After several moves, his final service assignment brought them to the former U.S. Marine Hospital in Seattle. El and Elaine fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and decided to stay and raise their family. El established a private practice in the Northgate Hospital Building and began a long and successful career as a physician and surgeon at Northgate, Northwest and Ballard Hospitals.

They shared a wonderful life in Seattle and vacationed at their beach cabin on Whidbey Island, WA in the summers. El always appreciated his birthday celebration and fireworks show with family and close friends up at the beach.

Upon his retirement from medicine, El and Elaine joined Everett Golf and Country Club where they made lifelong friends and enjoyed golfing. They also had many exciting adventures traveling the world together.

El and Elaine are longtime members of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church where El was an active supporter and volunteer throughout his life. He was a confident, kind and skilled man who had a remarkable ability to calm and comfort people who knew him. He possessed a warm smile and a delightful dry wit with an easy laugh.

El is survived by his wife Elaine; daughters Diane Jones of Lake Chapala, Mexico, Jean Eshelman (Scott) of Mill Creek, WA and Pamela Torrance (Bill) of Seattle WA; seven grandchildren Jennifer Jones, Annie, Mark (Renee) and Katie Eshelman, Jeff (Stacy), Kelly and Maggie Torrance; and two great grandchildren Neve Torrance and Bennett Eshelman. He adored them all.

His eternal love for Elaine was and will always remain the spirit of our family. The foundation he built and examples he set for our family will never cease. We will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave N. Seattle WA. on Saturday, January 9th at 11:00AM. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church Food Bank or the Charity of your choice

Words of comfort may be expressed for Elroy Burgwald's family by clicking on the guestbook link to the right.