Dr Keith D Vande Brink, June 08, 1935 — February 26, 2019

Dr. Keith D. VandenBrink (“Doc”), age 83 of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children, on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in the Johnson City Medical Center, in Johnson City, Tennessee. Keith was the son of the late Gerrit and Henrietta Jantzen VandenBrink, born to them on July 8, 1935 in Coon Rapids, Iowa. He united in marriage with Charlene Tiffany, who preceded him in death, and to this union of 44 years, 3 children were born.

Dr. VandenBrink was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, serving as a physician for the US Marine Corps. After his military service, he became a dedicated and respected pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, serving patients in multiple ways but most notably at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, The Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as the Shriners Hospital for Children, in Lexington, Kentucky. He sought to educate future generations of surgeons and accomplished this through mentoring countless residents and through teaching appointments at the University of Minnesota, The University of Tennessee, and The University of Kentucky.

He is survived by his loving children: Greta Elmore of Salisbury, North Carolina, Eric VandenBrink of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Kyle VandenBrink of Lake Mary, Florida; One sister: Marilyn Long; and three grandchildren: Hannah Elmore, Lindsay Elmore and Tyler VandenBrink. At the request of Dr. VandenBrink, he will be cremated, and a gathering to celebrate his life will be held at his former mountain cabin on Saturday, March 2nd from 2-4pm. His children wish to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. VandenBrink’s caregivers at the Johnson City Medical Center ICU and The Waters of Roan Highlands Nursing Home, as well as all those who loved Dr. VandenBrink in his community of Roan Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that anyone who wished to send flowers instead make a donation to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Donations can be made online in memory or in honor of Doc at lovetotherescue.org, directing the gift to SHC-Lexington. Those that prefer, can also mail donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center, 110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, KY 40508.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www. tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Services 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN.

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