Van der Velden

a/k/a Joan M.

Baumgartner, M.D.

At age 81, Joan van der Velden passed away on Oct. 14, 2006. Joan was born on Christmas Day, 1924, to Frank and Marguerite Baumgartner in Toledo, Ohio.

Joan was a true pioneer, graduating in 1950 from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago as one of only three women out of a class of 176. After residency in New York City, she returned to Toledo to practice Anesthesiology. She married Hans van der Velden in 1959 and moved to Seattle by way of Jackson, Mich., in 1961. She was an anesthesiologist for 20 years at Burien (Highline) and Riverton Hospitals. In 1983, she became a Medical Consultant with the state Department of Social and Health Services, a position she held until she was 80 years old.

In the midst of her busy career, Joan and Hans raised five children. She was an exercise enthusiast, loved the arts and animals, and was a true inspiration to all. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Hans; her children, Karin (Paul) Allen, Karl (Lisa), Eric, Mike (Courtney), and Elaine (Drew) Yager, M.D.; seven grandchildren; and a brand new great-grandson.

A funeral Mass was held on Friday, Oct. 20, at at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien. Remembrances may be made to Highline Medical Center or the Providence Hospital Cardiac Team.