David Tirrell Hellyer

Birth date: Oct 19, 1913 Death date: Jan 20, 2006

After a life of dedication to his family, his patients and the natural world David Hellyer has left a lasting legacy, especially for children.He was a physician, naturalist, superb horseman and amateur architect. With spirit and d Read Obituary

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Anonymous

956w ago

I remember going to Dr. Hellyer when he practiced on K Street in Tacoma. I especially liked the TV and chalkboard. I was at one time a Frankhauser child. I taught pre school in later life and went to NW Trek annually with the children. What a beautiful park. Now I have five grandkids and still love to go there. I recently took a picture of the bronze statue out front of the park and my grandson was by it. I told him that man used to be my doctor and all the kids loved him. His legacy lives on. Take care and hold on to the many memories.##imported-begin##Sandy##imported-end##

Anonymous

967w ago

Great Gramps was the best! I loved him very much.##imported-begin##Mary Babbit##imported-end##

Anonymous

996w ago

Dr. Hellyer cared for all 4 of the Heitman kids. We all will miss him and appreciate the care he provided us when we were growing up. My father {Carl Heitman} and my mother {Margaret Heitman} have both passed away but held Dr. Hellyer in the highest esteem. He will be missed.
Carla M. Heitman {Olsen}##imported-begin##Carla M. Heitman##imported-end##

Anonymous

1002w ago

I don't remember meeting Dr. Hellyer but I understand he was my doctor when I was a baby. I was born at Madigan Army Hospital in August, 1955. Best wishes to the family.##imported-begin##Laurie Lynn Weiss Terriere Doscher##imported-end##

Anonymous

1031w ago

I was a nurse who worked with Dr. Hellyer in the Pediatric Clinic in Tacoma, where he was a partner with Drs. Kemp and Nelson. I have known him since the early 1950's and I enjoyed working with him. I will not forget the last time I saw him at his house on the lake several years ago. He opened the theater just for us and showed us his plans for NW Trek.
Connie, I remember what a kind, nice man he was, never losing his cool, no matter what. He always went out of his way to make everyone feel cared for and he loved his patients, friends and family. I will always cherish the friendship I shared with you and David. He was truly one of a kind.
My condolences to you and your family.
Sol##imported-begin##Solveig Engman##imported-end##

Anonymous

1031w ago

I worked only one summer at Trek, and I can remember seeing Doc for the first time in the wetland area. I didn't know who he was at first, but I could tell that he was enjoying his walk more than any one else in the area, because he had the biggest smile of all the people there.##imported-begin##Joe Carlton##imported-end##

Anonymous

1031w ago

Dr. Hellyer was the pediatrician for all of our 3 children in the 1950's and on. We loved him so much. Our daughter Connie was especially attached to him and continued seeing him as long as he would let her come. I remember when she graduated from high school in 1971 he sent her a generous gift certificate to O'Briens, which at that time was a new, wonderful restaurant in downtown Tacoma. We thought so much of him, and have one of his autographed books.##imported-begin##Joan Frankhauser##imported-end##

Anonymous

1031w ago

The Wissing brothers Kim, Jeff, and myself, all grew up with Dr. Hellyer as our pediatrician during the late 1950's & 1960's in Tacoma.
We all admired & respected him greatly. Over the years, we enjoyed watching his vision of a park for all to enjoy become a reality, but are saddened by the parks lack of respect of his vision in recent years. My children enjoy the park and I'm glad they had the chance to meet "Doc". Our condolences go out to the Hellyer family.
The Wissing family##imported-begin##Greg Wissing##imported-end##

Anonymous

1032w ago

Dr. Hellyer touched many people he never met, including myself and my children. We love Northwest Trek and I was so moved by his memoir 'At the Forest's Edge'. His many contributions to the planet and its people will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences.##imported-begin##Maria Christensen##imported-end##

Anonymous

1032w ago

What a wonderful guy...got to meet him while taking care of their cabin carpets...We will miss him...##imported-begin##Albert Thomas III##imported-end##

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