Dudley J. Fournier MD.

June 23, 1923 - September 18, 2022

A quintessential member of the “Greatest Generation” passed away peacefully with family by his side, to join Barbara, his wife. Born in Capreol, Ontario, Canada, the eldest of three brothers, the family emigrated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1925.

His “underachieving” began early as he became an Eagle Scout in 18 months and then later became the class Valedictorian. A few months later he drove the entire family across the USA and Canada in their LaSalle. Thus started his lifelong love for driving. He attended Northwestern University with the goal of becoming a physician like his father. World War II began and he joined the U.S. Navy enlisting in their V12 program. He served on the USS Pine Island in WWII and again during the Korean Conflict. After staying in the reserves he retired as a Lt. Commander.

While on the ship in January of 1950 he looked up the only person he knew in San Francisco, Barbara Arnold, whom he had met at the Feather River Inn four years earlier. The rest is history as they were engaged for four months and were married on December 2, 1950.

He completed his residency at St. Mary’s Hospital and embarked on a long and interesting medical career as a general surgeon. He also maintained his office at 450 Sutter and worked for the San Francisco Emergency Hospital System. In addition, he was tireless as the first physician for the San Francisco Warriors (1962-66), the house doctor for Warner Brothers during the filming of the “Dirty Harry” series, Quinn Martin Productions with the “Streets of San Francisco” era and the Civic Light Opera. He was the physician “on call” to over 2,000 rooms in SF Hotels, making 24 hour housecalls. His work ethic was unparalleled.

He was very active as a Life Member of the Guardsmen, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary #2 and in the Knights of Columbus. A golfer since 1934 he was a 58 year member of the Olympic Club and enjoyed skiing with his friends and family. He was a 49er season ticket holder since the Kezar Days in 1964. His 50 year membership in the Bohemian Club gave him great pleasure until late 2021.

A devout Catholic, he never missed a Sunday Mass , no matter where he happened to be, and said his Rosary every night.

His friends will never forget his love of a good joke or his prolific emails. His family is very thankful for his sharing his specialized culinary and mixology skills with his sticky bun recipe and the meanest Margarita ever. Quite unforgettable is his disdain for turkey, especially on Thanksgiving. His love of photography always found him behind some kind of camera at every family occasion, providing everlasting memories.

He said more than once, “Don’t feel sorry for me when I’m gone, I’ve had a great and very unusual life...”. Even so, another one of his favorite sayings was “We’re sure going to miss you around here...” which now has a whole new meaning.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of 56+ years Barbara Fournier, his parents Margaret Fournier and Dudley T. Fournier MD and his brothers Robert Fournier and Donald Fournier DDS (Nancy).

He is survived by his “little girl” Michele Fournier McLellan (Bill Hogan) and son Dudley Fournier Jr. (Debbie), his granddaughters Jessica McLellan and Kelley Howard (Nick) and grandsons Scott Fournier (Jennifer) and Dudley Fournier III and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private Mass was held and a Celebration of Life will be forthcoming.