Dr. Wouter James Bosch 1936 – 2020

**Scroll down for information on the Memorial Celebration for Wouter, as well as Jean, who passed in April 2021. The original date was overcome by covid but is now planned for Sunday afternoon December 12th at 1pm. Thank you again, The Bosch and Strong Families**

Dr. Wouter James Bosch, MD, PhD, FACS (many of his friends called him “Walt”) was born in Heiloo, Netherlands on September 26th, 1936. He left us to be with his Lord and Savior on January 11th, 2020, passing peacefully at home at 83, comforted by the presence and prayers of God, his loving family, and many friends.

Wouter’s parents, Dr. Wouter Bosch Sr, PhD and Anna Christina van den Biggelaar, affectionately known as Opa and Oma, gave birth to their only son in a small town north of Amsterdam during the worldwide depression and buildup of Nazi Germany in Europe. Desiring to come to America but unable to immigrate before the war, Oma continued to correspond with their American sponsor Pat Barnett. In 1946, following years of military occupation ended by the Canadian military liberation of Holland, Oma, Opa, and 10-year-old Wouter arrived at Ellis Island, New York, where the Barnetts would give Wouter his middle name “James” after Pat’s husband. (Wouter would share those difficult wartime experiences only many years later…)

The family moved to Oklahoma where Opa was a polymer chemistry professor. They then settled in Fargo, ND for 12 years. Wouter was active in Boy Scouts throughout his youth, earning his Eagle Scout and God & Country Awards. The family moved to Rolla, Missouri to be near Wouter as he began his junior year at the University of Missouri Medical School. There he met former spouse and fellow med student Priscilla Anderton. They were married June 3, 1961. He graduated the next day and the couple moved to Iowa City, where he entered a doctoral program in orthopedics at the University of Iowa. Son Donald and daughter Heather were born during his Residency that began in 1964.

Facing a national draft, Wouter opted for Navy service. He put his PhD on hold to report to U.S. Naval Hospital Bremerton, WA. There he perfected his surgical technique, collaborating on several operations per day on the most difficult injuries inflicted on U.S. Marines serving in Viet Nam. He easily passed the trauma requirement for his Residency program and proudly embraced the opportunity to serve his country. Years later one of those Marines would write and thank him for saving his life and his ability to walk and lead a normal life. Son Robert was born at the Naval Hospital’s maternity ward.

Departing the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, Wouter headed back to Iowa to complete his Residency in 1969. Here he met Dr. Galen Hoover from Puyallup, WA. Together he and other surgeons returned to the Pacific Northwest to form Tacoma Orthopedic Surgeons, providing covered call for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Allenmore Medical Center, Tacoma General, St. Josephs, Good Samaritan, Puget Sound Hospital, and Lakewood General. The family settled in University Place, where daughters Katharine and Holly joined the family, along with Kevin Carlton, a close friend of the kids who would come to be loved by Wouter as a son. Concerned about losing family time to the 80-hour workweek typical of a surgeon, area hospital staff became accustomed to one or more of his children accompanying him on weekend rounds.

Wouter was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Medical Society of Pierce County. He contributed significantly to the body of knowledge in orthopedics, particularly in sports medicine and total joint replacement. He helped develop arthroscopy prototypes that significantly reduced recovery time for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. He spearheaded a new Pierce County Sports Medicine Clinic in May 1978, and gave decades of volunteer service as team doctor and trainer/consultant for both professional and college sports including the Seattle SuperSonics, Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Puget Sound, and Curtis High School. His leadership and skill in joint-related medical technologies vastly improved the lives of thousands of others over his nearly four decades as a surgeon. A dyslexic, he conscientiously avoided wrong-site surgeries by meeting with the patient before every procedure and drawing a happy face on the affected limb. The Joint Commission on Surgery has since required similar procedures for the safety of patients. Given his integrity and expertise he was added to the national registry of surgeons consulted for sitting U.S. Presidents.

Wouter lived a generous life, leading by example, and routinely sought out the Christian fellowship of other businessmen. The Friday Morning Group, a weekly men’s breakfast fellowship he chartered with Ron Stockdale, Bob Cleveland, Al Clark, and other executives in University Place still meets 45 years later as one of his favorite legacies. Wouter was active in University Place Presbyterian Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and other local congregations, and led a significant missionary effort in the 1970’s to provide medical services, equipment, and training of local physicians to Central African polio victims. His philanthropy extended to support for the Arts for Tacoma, including renovating Tacoma’s Pantages Theater. As Wouter transitioned into retirement he devoted significant volunteer efforts to the Master Gardeners Pierce County Extension, leading landscaping efforts to enhance the natural beauty of Tacoma and the surrounding area. He truly enjoyed the outdoors including sailing on Gig Harbor. Backpacking sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and Olympic National Forest with his family also gave him opportunities to follow his passion for photography.

Wouter married the former Alice “Jean” Strong (1944-2020) his wife and fellow adventurer in January 1995. He is survived by children from his previous marriage to wife Priscilla, who are Heather (Allan), Kate (Don), Holly (Rick), Don (LeAnn), Robert (Tracy) and Kevin (Maribeth), and eighteen grandchildren. Wouter’s beloved cousin Theodora Johanna “Tante Door” Kappelle and her children still live in Holland.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to one of two vital charities which Wouter passionately supported. Palmer Scholars provides scholarships and mentorship to at-risk and minority children. ARK Institute of Learning provides comprehensive, one-on-one help for individuals with learning difficulties.

**UPDATE as of October 2021** A memorial celebration for both Wouter and Jean is now planned at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Tacoma WA on Sunday, 12 December at 1pm. If you have left a comment here with your email, we will notify you with the new information.

Blessings,

The Bosch and Strong Families

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