David Saunders: Doctor, poet, musician and lover of nature

Dr. David Saunders will forever be remembered by generations of medical students as an eloquent mentor who, for 33 years, oversaw the course on the biology of the human gut.

Dr. Saunders, a University of Washington professor emeritus and father of four, died Jan. 22 at his Lake Forest Park home, surrounded by his family, after a short battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 74.

The medical school's graduating classes bestowed upon him the Distinguished Teaching Award for the fourth time in 2002, making him a "Teacher Superior in Perpetuity." He was also a recipient of the George N. Aagaard award for outstanding teaching.

In a speech to graduates several years ago, Dr. Saunders quoted poetry, one of his many passions.

"I can imagine no better life than that of a physician with the life robe of science, knowledge, humanity and teaching," Dr. Saunders told them. "Be zestful and curious. Keep your victories hidden. Do not sulk over defeat. Read some poetry. Write some poetry. And love and honor your family."

David R. Saunders was born in 1933 in Montreal. His father was headmaster of Sir George Williams College, and his mother was a homemaker.

He graduated from Princeton University and went to medical school at McGill University in Montreal. He met his wife, Donna, during his internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital, and the pair married in 1960 and moved to England, where he studied for two years at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

In 1964, Dr. Saunders joined the UW Medical Center's division of gastroenterology as a fellow. In 1981 he became chief of the division, a post he held until 1995.

He and Donna had four sons: John is an Army judge in Manhattan, Kan.; Richard, a software engineer in the Seattle area; Michael, a gastroenterologist at the UW; and Brian, a marine biologist who teaches at Shoreline Community College.

During family get-togethers, Dr. Saunders relished delivering a good pun.

"He had a very quick wit," said Donna Saunders, 72. "Yes, people would groan, but other puns were pretty good. His sons have it, too, unfortunately."

A renaissance man, Dr. Saunders was a trained classical pianist, spoke French and could quote lines of Shakespeare apropos to the moment, his wife said.

Dr. Saunders also enjoyed backcountry hiking, canoeing and bird watching. He would canoe parts of the Columbia River and Vancouver Island in British Columbia. He regularly kayaked the north end of Lake Washington, observing the bird life.

In Lake Forest Park, he volunteered for the Stewardship Foundation, which worked to save Grace Cole Nature Park, 14 acres of woods and wetlands, from development.

Dr. Saunders is survived by his wife; his younger brother, John, of Victoria, B.C.; his four sons; three daughters-in-law; and nine grandchildren.

A private celebration of his life is scheduled for Feb. 16. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of David R. Saunders to the UW Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington, 1959 N.E. Pacific St., Box 356424, Seattle, WA 98195.

Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com