David Dines

David E. Dines, Emeritus Physician of Pulmonology and Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, died August 24, 2024, at the age of 98. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Dines loved teaching, received numerous teaching awards at Mayo, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Educators. During his active career as a pulmonologist, he published over 200 papers. His love of medicine never diminished, nor did his love of his students, colleagues, and patients. After retirement, he remained active teaching in the simulation department as well as reading sleep studies. Even until his death, he continued to attend Grand Rounds and weekly pulmonary medicine conferences. Dr. Dines and his wife Bette established the Dr. David E. and Bette H. Dines Professorship of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and a Named Visiting Professorship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He was also an active volunteer with the Doctors Mayo Society and the Mayo Clinic Leadership Councils in Rochester and Arizona. In 2021, Dr. Dines was recognized with the Doctors Mayo Society Lifetime Achievement Award for his professional accomplishments and personal attributes that reflect Mayo Clinic ideals.

David was born December 19, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, one of four children. He was proud to be a fourth generation Coloradoan. He went to Phillips Academy - Andover at age 14. At age 17, upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served on Guam and Iwo Jima. He made a promise to himself that if he survived, he would dedicate his life to serving others. When he returned from his service, David went to Colorado College on the G.I. bill. He graduated from the University of Colorado Medical School and did his internship at Denver General the following year. He completed his fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.

Those who knew David best remember his many passions, including golf, (where he shot his age more than once), watercolor painting, travel, fly fishing, and volunteering. One of his greatest pleasures in life was his 21 years of volunteering at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. David loved music and played the guitar every Thursday morning with Martha and Ben, singing his favorite folk songs. He was also an active member of the Charter House Chorus.

David loved and was deeply committed to his family. He was preceded in death by daughter Sarah Lee Dines, and he is survived by his beloved wife of 77 years, Bette Dines, sister Marcia Strickland, sister-in-law Dorothy Dines (both of Denver), children Carol Dines (Jack Zipes), and David Dines (Margie), grandchildren Hanna Basel (Mike), David Dines (Keri), Virginia Dines (Mark Norton), and Andrew Dines, and four great-grandchildren.

One of his greatest passions was his cabin, where for fifty years, his family gathered annually to plant a thousand trees. His family will honor his wish to have his ashes scattered among those trees, overlooking the lake that gave him great solace. There will be a memorial service at Charter House in Rochester, MN on Saturday, September 7th at 11:00 am, followed by a lunch reception.  The service will be live streamed, please visit Ranfranz and Vine Website and view obituary for livestreaming. The family requests that memorial gifts be designated for pulmonary and critical medicine research at Mayo Clinic. Memorials can be made online at  www.mayoclinic.org/development or mailed to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.