Roy Gunsolus

Roy was born in Bakersfield, California. Roy’s father’s military service took the family to various military facilities. The most memorable for Roy was the Kodiak Naval Air Station where Roy earned him the Eagle Scout and became a member of the Order of the Arrow. He spent many hours in the outdoors fishing and hiking with his dad.

Roy received both his undergraduate degree in biology and his dental degree from the University of Washington, completing his DDS in 1969. He then spent three years in military service in Germany and returned for Graduate training in Orthodontics at the University of California at San Francisco, completing a post graduate degree in Orthodontics in 1973. He was in a private orthodontic practice from 1973 to 2012.

Roy was an associate professor and faculty member in the Graduate Orthodontic Dept. at the UW from 1983 to 2012, teaching residents 1-2 days per week. He was a member of the ADA, AAO, PCSO (past winner of the PCSO award of Merit), Diplomate of the American Board, past president of the Angle Society, served on the PCSO Board of Directors, and Chairman for the AAO Council on Practice Management. He retired from private practice in North Seattle in December of 2012.

Roy was a born teacher. He loved sharing his knowledge & learning from others. One of Roy’s patients described him as follows: “What struck me about Dr. G was the dignity, elegance, and respect that came across in all his interactions with patients and co-workers. I noticed how he always said “please” and “thank you” when asking for something from the technicians. He seemed so entirely void of arrogance of entitlement. My sense of him was that he was truly a good, old-fashioned gentleman, which is sadly a bit of a rarity these days. I’m grateful for my contact with Dr. Gunsolus - a human being of the highest integrity.”

Roy loved his family, sailing, biking, car racing his beloved Porsche, gardening, collecting trains, and perfecting anything he touched.

Roy shared anything he owned: boats, houses, and food. He felt he had been blessed, so he wanted to share with others. He encouraged his family students and friends to work hard, take risks, and trust in yourself.

Roy leaves behind a wonderful, grateful family including his wife: Barbara; three children: Roy Gunsolus IV (daughter-in-law, Jill), Turi Lucas, Kari Ketner (son-in-law, Mitch); sister: Skye Sugar (brother-in-law, David); grandchildren: Mitchell, Simone, Malia, Oliver, Roman, and Addison; great-grandchild: Carter; as well as many relatives and friends. Last, but not least, his caregivers: Sam Mutiso, Dennis Munguti, and Lilian Kilangi - 3 outstanding human beings.

A celebration of Roy’s Life shall be held on October 16th at 1:00pm at the Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home

14951 Bothell Way NE

Seattle, WA 98155

Remembrances may be made to APDA (American Parkinson’s Disease Association), Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation (Pediatric Brain Tumor Research), or a charity of your choice.

If you are attending the celebration of life please wear a mask. If you are unable to attend you are invited to contact Acacia Funeral Home (206) 362-5525 to sign up to view the webcast of the celebration of life.