Valerie Jones MD

In Memoriam
RICHARD E. AHLQUIST, JR., MD
Richard E. Ahlquist, Jr., MD, passed away on March 30, 2016
in Spokane. He was born on December 12, 1925, and attended
Lakeside Preparatory School in Seattle, Washington. He graduated
from Stanford University in 1948 after serving two years in the Air
Force. He attended the University of Maryland Medical School
graduating cum laude in 1952. His Internship and Residency
training in General Thoracic and Vascular Surgery were received at
University of California Medical Center in San Francisco where he
served as Chief Resident in his final year. Following completion of
his Residency in 1959, he and his wife moved to Spokane to start his
surgical practice, which he maintained until his retirement in 1990.
Dr. Ahlquist was a member of myriad professional medical
associations, including the Washington State Medical Association,
Spokane County Medical Society and the Spokane Surgical Society,
where he served as president in 1976. He also served as a Fellow
and Governor of the American College of Surgeons. He served as
president of the North Pacific Surgical Association in 1988.
Dr. Ahlquist is survived by the love of his life, Janis Roberts
Ahlquist. They met while he was attending University of Maryland
Medical School in Baltimore, and were married in Sewanee,
Tennessee, on June 30, 1950. He is also survived by three children,
four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. The Ahlquist
family wishes to thank Senior Helpers and Hospice of Spokane for
their care for and kindness to Dr. Ahlquist.
STEPHEN R. SEARS, MD
Stephen R. Sears, MD, passed away peacefully
on April 18, 2016, while in the loving presence of his
devoted wife. At four years old, he decided to go
to West Point and steadily followed through on this
goal after graduating from Annandale High School
in 1963. After graduating from West Point in 1967, he
continued to medical school at University of Virginia
and was an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Army, obtaining the rank
of Colonel and eventually moving into private practice. Steve married
the love of his life, Marilyn, on March 3, 1977.
Dr. Sears is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his daughter and two
vivacious granddaughters, and his sister and brother. He was a
complicated man in all the best ways and never bored his friends
and family with predictability. He loved old westerns, roosters,
wall pictures, clocks, cherry pie filling and his green mini cooper.
He loved learning about world history, especially the Civil War. It
was important to him to never look down on others, and also to
be a good husband, father, son, brother and friend. Those who
knew him will miss his one of a kind smile, lopsided walk, and
most importantly, the most unconditional, non-judgmental love and
support he freely gave to those he loved. He was and, even in his
absence, will continue to be a great hero to his daughter. At the
end, he fought bravely for each day.
Dr. Sears is preceded in death by his mother and father, and often
spoke of how much he missed them. He worked very hard all his life,
up until the very end, and made a difference in the lives of many. n
The Message | May 2016 | 11