David Tirrell Hellyer's Obituary
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 dedication he created the wildlife park Â"Northwest TrekÂ" preserving a beautiful native habitat and sanctuary for Northwest wildlife. His friend Murray Morgan wrote Â"He has lived one of the most useful and varied lives of anyone I know. His memoirs Â"At the Forest EdgeÂ" (Pacific Search 1985, reprint U of W Press 2004) reflect the dry humor, the astonishing range of expertise, and the combination of charm, creativity and energy that have made his career possibleÂ".He was born in Kobe, Japan, where he spent his early childhood, followed by 6 years in Lausanne, Switzerland. At the death of his father in 1925 he, his mother and older brother George (died 1996) moved to Santa Barbara, California, where he attended Â"Cate SchoolÂ". The day after he graduated from Yale University, June 19th, 1936 he married Constance Thayer Hopkins of Santa Barbara and they came to the Pacific Northwest and their first home in Lakewood, where their 3 daughters were born in 1937, 1938 and 1940. During this time he and two partners formed Ski Lifts, Inc. building and operating the first ski tows in the northwest at Mt. Baker, Snoqualmie Pass, and Mt. Rainier. He also began his study of medicine, entering the University of Chicago in 1941, graduating in 1945. After a years internship at Harborview Hospital in Seattle he served in the US Navy as medical officer on the US Mobile in the Pacific, returning to the University of Chicago as a two year resident in Pediatrics, beginning his practice in Tacoma in the fall of 1948, interrupted by two years as Chief of Pediatrics at Madigan General Hospital during the Korean War.In the spring of 1937 David and Connie purchased a section of land near Eatonville, Washington that had been logged then decimated by fire in the early 20Â's. There, on its small lake they built a cabin, which became central to their family life and their nieces and nephews. In the peace of this remote area, after the dayÂ's activities, evenings were devoted to reading aloud by kerosene lamps, warmed by the open fire. By 1965 the land had recovered enough to support a successful cattle operation Â"Horseshoe Lake RanchÂ" supervised by Charlie and Ila McKasson.Fifteen years later, Dr. Hellyer realized and described in his memoirs, Â"the land had come of age and its destiny should be determined by the highest and best use for which it was suited. The concept of a protected place where North American wildlife would find a varied and suitable habitat, where people, especially children, might experience animals in the dignity and beauty of a nearly wild state within a natural setting, began to take formÂ". In 1975 the vision became reality.Dr. HellyerÂ's life was greatly enriched by his wife Connie, daughters Constance Conway, Doro Oliver and Tirrell Kimball, his grandchildren Alexander Babbit, David Babbit (died 2004) , Victoria Babbit, Graham Babbit, Anne Corning, Stephanie Cunningham, David Kimball and Stephen Kimball, his 5 great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Mary Babbit, Isabella Nilsson-Babbit, William Cunningham and Miles Kimball and his niece and nephews, Marion King, Harold Hellyer (died 1987), Robert Hellyer and David R. Hellyer. The families of his Pediatric practice and his students at the University of Washington where he became a Professor Emeritus held a very special place in his life.Dr.HellyerÂ's family is grateful to Hospice for their sympathetic care during his brief illness and death.Private family services will be held followed by a public celebration of Dr. HellyerÂ's life to be announced in the spring.Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Trek Foundation, PO Box 1819, Eatonville, WA 98328, or Mary Bridge ChildrenÂ's Hospital.
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