Celebration of Life on March 2 for Dr. Douglas Hom, 1949-2019

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

A Celebration of Life is planned March 2 for longtime West Seattle physician Dr. Douglas Hom. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

Dr. Douglas Hom, age 69, passed away the morning of Friday, January 25, 2019. He suffered a heart attack while skiing and, after a week-long struggle at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, died peacefully, surrounded by family.

Doug was born July 26, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Dr. Leong “Lee” and Syen “Sunny” Hom. He was the eldest of four boys and, although competition was stiff, the most adventuresome troublemaker of the lot.

During his youth in small town Battle Lake, Minnesota, he played golf, baseball, and basketball; participated in band, chorus, and debate; and did other “normal” things that would surprise no one who knew him, like spontaneous multi-day canoe adventures and making sure nobody picked on his little brothers. Smart and opinionated even then, he graduated as high school valedictorian. The caption for his high school senior photo was, “Even his explanations needed explaining.” This sentiment followed him throughout his entire life.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1974, moved to Glens Falls, New York, and established a medical private practice. In 1985, he moved to Seattle and worked for the Providence Hospital medical group until 2000 when he and his brother, Dr. Denis Hom, opened a medical practice together in West Seattle. During this time, he also treated patients at several adult family care facilities. Drawing on the legacy set by his father, Doug took his vocation to heart. His patients were treated with the same compassion and genuine – if sometimes tough – love as his family.

Doug was a devoted father and grandfather, thoughtful mentor, and loyal friend. He had an active imagination and insatiable curiosity. He dove into life with a passion that few could match. He truly loved people: his family and friends, his patients, and people he’d just meet passing through. He felt they ultimately made his life richer and more interesting. In turn, he touched and made a positive impact on many lives.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Sunny Hom. He is survived by his brothers, Denis Hom (Mei-Lan), James Hom (Siu-Lin), Curtis Hom (Vivian); his children, Tanya Farmer (Justin), Ainsley Bar Telem (Elan), Kyra-lin Hom (Chad Richman); his grandchildren, Jocelyn Farmer, Lucas Farmer, Elijah Farmer; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to Tibbetts United Methodist Church, Operation Nightwatch, or Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 1 pm in the sanctuary at Tibbetts United Methodist Church in West Seattle (3940 41st Ave. SW). It will be open to family, friends, and all who wish to pay their respects. Black/mourning attire is requested.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Chris February 23, 2019 (1:50 pm)

Dr. Hom was such a wonderful and kind person. He was so helpful with my family over the years. So heartbroken to see that he has left us. Certainly have many, many fond memories.

LG February 23, 2019 (7:39 pm)

How sad. He was such a wonderful physician. Quirky personality with an interesting sense of humor but a joy to talk with. He was always loved by his patients who trusted his judgement and wholeistic intellect. He took such pride in being a physician who knew everything he could to give his patients the best care possible. He also had amazing neck ties.

Bruce February 23, 2019 (10:22 pm)

Dr. Doug never thought he knew it all. He was the epitome of what you want in a doctor – he listened to you, bounced thoughts off of you, and made you feel like you and he were partners in your care. We spent so many hours talking about whatever, when I was his last patient of the day!

DZ February 23, 2019 (10:46 pm)

Very sad to hear. I knew him as a colleague. Great physician and a great person.

Terry Thomas February 23, 2019 (11:29 pm)

I knew Dr. Hom when he was my mothers doctor. He was not only her doctor but a friend. Sorry to here of his passing. He was just a great doctor but also a great man and person. Our condolences to his family.He will be missed!

Cid February 24, 2019 (7:25 am)

Dr. Hom was my mother’s doctor. She loved his caring approach and sense of humor. A life well lived, he touched many, and we’re sorry to learn he left us so soon. Our sympathies are with his family.

Mike G February 25, 2019 (3:57 pm)

Dr. Doug was my physician for many years, starting at Providence and continuing until his retirement at his wonderful clinic. Like others have written here, he was more than just “my doctor”. He was a friend, a mentor and coach, an advisor, a wonderful storyteller, and genuinely decent human being. The world is a lessor place with him no longer in it and I am truly and deeply saddened by his death Oddly enough I had my annual physical this morning, with a physician I’d never seen before. She asked me why I don’t have a primary care provider and I told that for much of my adult life I’d had doctor who could tell how I was doing by just looking at me, and that I’d given up hope trying to replace him. She was actually quite good, quirky, brilliant and kind, like Dr. Hom, but no one will ever replace him, at least for me. It breaks my heart that he died a such a young age, and that I never had the chance to tell him how much he meant to me, or thank him for the hard times he got me through. Godspeed Dr. Hom. You were truly one of a kind.

Audrey Daum March 11, 2019 (11:06 pm)

I am so so sorry and heartbroken to hear that we’ve all lost our dear Dr. Hom. Between his brother,Denis and himself, I had a “Dr.Hom” for at least twenty years. Wasn’t I lucky?! My heart goes out to his family, who he would always love to talk about and show me pictures of. Including his grandkids, whom he adored. God bless you Doctor Hom, you will always be missed and loved. God speed. Audrey Daum

Sorry, comment time is over.