Glenn Allen Patchen

Glenn Allen Patchen, MD, FACOG, 77, went to sleep peacefully, trusting in the Lord, on November 5, 2012 in Wenatchee, WA. Glenn struggled with advanced Parkinson's disease, but in spite of this, he remained a man who possessed great faith, hope, patience, and inner strength. He was born in Coeur d'Alene, ID to Glenn and Helen Patchen on June 27, 1935 where he grew up on the family ranch in Careywood, ID. Later, his family moved to College Place, WA where his father took a position as an Engineering Professor at Walla Walla College. During Glenn's residency, his parents relocated to Wenatchee, WA where they lived for the remainder of their years. Glenn always loved visiting the Wenatchee area, enjoying the warm summers, cold winters, and beautiful surrounding mountains. However, he established his practice as a physician in the Renton, WA area, East of the Cascade's where he was a noted OB/GYN and leader in his community. He had fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor and helping people. Ironically, he came full-circle spending his final two years in Wenatchee near his relatives, at RiverWest Retirement Community built just 2 blocks from his family home, which still stands today. Stepping back in time, to his college years and medical training, it may be of interest to note that he graduated from Walla Walla College in 1957 with a major in Zoology. From there, he went on to Loma Linda University (LLU) in California where he was awarded his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in 1961. He then moved to Portland, OR where he interned at the Portland Sanitarium, followed by 3 years of Family Practice. By that time, he had his own family with three children: two boys and a little girl. He returned to LLU between 1965-1968 to specialize as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, completing his FACOG in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He always dreamed of becoming a missionary doctor and at one point in time, went to Chicago, passing rigorous boards, to receive licensure to practice abroad. In 1968, Uncle Sam came knocking on his door and he was drafted, serving his country for two years as a Senior Surgeon at the U.S. Public Health Service facility on Beacon Hill (now known as Pacific Medical Center) in Seattle, WA. Glenn then began his practice as an OB/GYN in the Renton area, eventually establishing Valley Women's Clinic in 1976. The clinic remains today, providing the highest level of care, and still operating on its' founders principles: "Maintain the strictest integrity at all times, provide the best care, and keep your focus on the people...and they will take care of you." During his career as an OB/GYN, Glenn delivered over 5,000 babies. He had a special gift in working with difficult infertility cases helping many conceive children they might otherwise not have had. He specialized in obstetrics because he enjoyed participating, first hand, in the miracle of life. He was compassionate, conscientious, and had a wonderful ability to listen to his patients. This was part of what made him special in their eyes. He was also a noted surgeon and leader in the medical community, and is remembered as someone who touched many lives, professionally, and personally. He was the former Chief of the OB/GYN department at Valley Medical Center, served as a Clinical Associate Professor for the department of OB/GYN at the University of Washington in Seattle, was a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and authored various articles for the Seattle GYN society publications. As a leader in the Seattle Gynecological Society and the Washington State Obstetrical Association, both organizations repeatedly asked him to serve as President, but due to his religious beliefs and potential conflicts regarding the Sabbath, he told them he was unable to accept the position. He was a strong Seventh-day Adventist who lived and died trusting in the Lord and His promises...Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"; and in I Thess. 4:13-18 describing Christ's 2nd coming and the time when the "dead in Christ" will awaken and "rise to meet the Lord in the air". Glenn and his family look forward to the day when they will once again be reunited. He loved the outdoors, traveling, golf, sports, music, and of course, helping others. His family remembers Dad playing the piano and joyfully singing songs that he loved, like "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" and "The Old Rugged Cross". He will be lovingly remembered for everyone he touched, with his surgeon's hands, his compassion and heartfelt consideration, his positive outlook, and his deep trust in his personal Savior - Jesus Christ. He was about sharing, and he gave more than most over his lifetime. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, his three children, Greg, Garth, and Genelle (Pepple), his brother Gary, sister Gloria (Kupferman), seven grandchildren, and seven nieces and nephews. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held after the first of the year in Renton, WA. For service details, condolence messages, to view or share photos, stories, or memories, please visit his online tribute at: www.heritagememorialchapel.com.

Glenn Allen Patchen

June 27, 1935 - November 5, 2012