Allen M. Rossman, MD
Allen M. Rossman MD, age 77, passed away peacefully at home on January 20, with loving family by his side.
Allen grew up in Portland, Oregon as one of four boisterous children. He and his brothers had an early fascination with anything mechanical and spent much of their childhood “fixing” and constructing things, including a go-kart in the basement. Often their projects required breaking into their dad’s locked workshop to get the tools they needed. Throughout life Allen accumulated every tool you could ever need and many you didn’t. His greatest enjoyment came from helping family and friends with any chore at hand.
Allen attended Grinnell College and Johns Hopkins Medical School and received his ophthalmology training at Yale. Part of his residency was spent in Haiti working with the poor at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer. This was a compelling influence in his life.
He also served two years in the Army Medical Corps in Fort Riley, Kansas.
Allen returned to the Pacific Northwest and opened his Ophthalmology practice in Kirkland, Washington, where he could be near family and enjoy sailing and skiing. Soon after, he was diagnosed with leukemia, but triumphed over the disease and returned to a full-time practice for over 30 years. He truly cared about his patients and loved visiting with them, often at the expense of the office schedule.
Music was a lifelong passion. He attributed his love of folk music to meeting Pete Seeger, who had dinner at his house after a rousing local performance. Allen played the guitar and banjo, cultivating his skills at college and having great fun joining his classmates in lively impromptu performances. He also sang in an acapella group. As the years went on, he could always be found with his guitar close by, ready for a song.
Allen met his wife Debbie on a blind date and they were married nearly 40 years. They had two daughters, Leslie and Allison, whom he loved with all his heart. He was a devoted father – guiding his girls down the bunny slopes teaching them to ski, playing guitar around the campfire during weekend trips with YMCA Indian Princess, many outings for ice cream, and never missing a dance recital. Our fondest memories are of joyful times at our cabin on Lake Cavanaugh, where we had no tv or internet and enjoyed simply being together.
Following retirement, Allen and Debbie spent time on the road in their Alfa Romeo sports cars – volunteering at rallies with the Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon and enjoying evening jaunts to the drive-up at Burgermaster on Lake Washington. They eventually added an RV to their collection and spent winters in Arizona with family and close friends. As expected, there was much time spent head scratching and problem solving among all the vehicles. Luckily Allen’s brother and his best friend were often by his side. At home, cherished time was spent playing with his three grandchildren- Owen, Reese, and Chase.
Allen has been described as “impossible not to like.” He will be remembered for his unfailing optimism, sense of humor, kindness and humility.
A celebration of his life will be planned for this summer.
In honor of his memory, donations may be made to Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (hashaiti.org) or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ()
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