Don Beerline, M.D.
Dec. 14, 1940 - Nov. 26, 2017
Donald Bruce Beerline, beloved husband, father and grandfather, career pathologist and dedicated volunteer, died Nov. 26 from complications of acute myeloid leukemia.
Born in Pawnee City, NE and raised in Ord, NE, Don married the former Joan Smith while studying at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. After graduation, he served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, living with his young family in Texas and England; he completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Presbyterian Denver Hospital. Don worked for 35 years at John Muir Medical Center (formerly Mt. Diablo Medical Center) in Concord, heading its pathology laboratory for several years and serving as Chief of Staff from 1983 to 1984. He chaired many committees within the hospital and was Managing Partner of Contra Costa Pathology Associates.
An active volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Don held numerous board positions at the national, division and local levels and helped orchestrate the passage of Proposition 99, which taxes cigarette sales to raise funds for health education, services and research; he was a mentor to many volunteer leaders at the Society and in 1992 received its St. George Medal. As a member of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years, he served in a great number of leadership roles and especially loved singing in the choir. Don was also a member and officer of the Berkeley Wine and Food Society and the Society of Medical Friends of Wine and a charter member of the American Institute of Wine & Food.
He and Joan were married for 52 years; during that time, they cooked for and hosted several hundred parties and dinners. Don kept a detailed menu card for every one of them, and he attended to hosting duties with the same energy and precision he devoted to his medical practice, always making guests feel welcome. He enjoyed running and working out with a close-knit group of friends over the decades. Even as his health declined, Don treasured time with family and friends.
In addition to Joan, Don is survived by three children, Brentley Beerline (Jennifer) of Oakland, CA, Amy Killian (Jeff) of Springfield, VA, and Colin Beerline (Tiffany) of Crockett, CA; sisters Judy Wright (Robert) of Friendswood, TX, and Joan Szabo of Bloomfield, NJ; grandsons Ethan Killian, Brian Killian and Braden Beerline, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Glen and Freda Beerline, and by his granddaughter, Lucy Beerline.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6 at LafayetteOrinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, CA, (925) 283-8722. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to LafayetteOrinda Presbyterian Church in support of worship and music; to John Muir Health Foundation, 1400 Treat Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94547, (925) 947-4449, in support of cancer services; or to the charity of your choice.