Dr. Donald Pine, M.D.

Dr. Donald Kay Pine, M.D. passed away on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Watsonville, California.

Dr. Pine was born and grew up in Chicago. He graduated from high school at 16 to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. He attended numerous colleges on the G.I. bill including Stanford, Virginia Military Institute, Purdue, and George Washington University, where he received his M.D. It was during his time at Stanford that he decided California is where he wanted to raise a family and spend the rest of his life.

He met and married Sara Ford Pine while attending medical school in Washington, D.C. Together they moved to Flint, Michigan, where Dr. Pine served his three years of residency and one year internship. It was here that their sons Scott, Mark, and Bruce were born. After completing his internship, they packed up the family and moved to Watsonville, where he was to spend his entire professional career. Dr. Pine was the first board certified surgeon in Santa Cruz County when he arrived in the spring of 1957.

He set up his medical practice in Watsonville. Being the only surgeon, he was extremely busy in Watsonville caring for those in need. He also spent many days and nights in Santa Cruz taking care of critically ill patients there. He worked tirelessly doing what he loved, caring for those that required surgery. In addition, he worked hard to recruit new physicians and grow and develop the medical community in Santa Cruz County to address the needs of the growing community. He took the lead role in creating the vision of the new Watsonville Community Hospital that was so badly needed and making that vision become of a reality.

He and wife Sara retired to Marysville, California where they enjoyed many great days playing golf with friends at Peach Tree Country Club. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

He will be long remembered by those that he took care of and by the Watsonville Community for his selfless dedication.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Sara Pine. He is survived by his three sons Scott, Mark, and Bruce, and their wives Lolita, Rebecca, and Debbie, and his six grandchildren, Kristen, Justin, Jeff, Matt, Jenna, and Conner.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 on Wednesday, March 6th at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park, for the family and close friends of the family. A reception open to all will be held at the Sambrailo Residence, 90 Hecker Pass Road beginning at 3:00. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, Watsonville, CA