dies at 89
Born Jan. 11, 1918 in Fairfield, Maine, Burrill graduated from Tufts University medical school in 1944 after a career as a secondary school teacher and active promoter of youth sports. After serving in the Army during World War II, Burrill moved with his wife, Martha Grant Burrill, and twin sons, Richard and Robert, to California, where he served with the U.S. Public Health Service in San Francisco. His duties included caring for prisoners at Alcatraz. Later two daughters, Michelle and Susan, were born.
In 1949, Burrill resigned from federal service and moved to Menlo Park. His daughter, Michelle Burrill, said her dad was a staunch advocate of privatized medicine, maintaining a solo practice since leaving federal service, and declining potential offers to join a mentor, Russell Lee, a co-founder of the the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Burrill served on the staffs of Stanford and Sequoia hospitals for more than 40 years. In 1990 he was honored by the Department of Medicine at Stanford for 40 years of exceptional service. He continued an avid love and advocacy of sports for health throughout his life.
He is survived by all four children. His wife — and childhood sweetheart — preceded him in death in 2004, just after the couple celebrated a 60th wedding anniversary.
Donations in memory of Lee “Doc” Burrill may be sent to Lawrence High School, c/o Athletic Director, 9th School St., Fairfield, ME 04937, or to a charity of choice.
Services have been held.
