Dennis Evan Welch

Born in Des Moines, Iowa to Lucille and Harold Welch, Dennis became a Texan in his youth and remained one for life. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UT Austin, working his way through by driving a bread truck. He received his medical degree from the UT Medical Branch at Galveston in 1962, and completed his internship at Hermann Hospital in Houston. He proudly served as a US Navy Lieutenant, Chief Medical Officer, on the USS Salisbury Sound. He returned to Galveston as an Internal Medicine resident at John Sealy Hospital, and was named Chief Medical Resident.

Dennis was one of the first two oncologists in Austin, joining the Austin Diagnostic Clinic as its 13th physician. In 1989 he was named ADC physician of the year, and served as Chief of Staff for Holy Cross and St. David's hospitals. In the 1980s he became Medical Director at ADC; during his 11-year tenure, he and Dr. Jonathan Decherd spearheaded the construction of what is now St. David's North Austin Medical Center. Dennis' primary focus was always his patients. He devoted his life to treating Austin cancer patients for almost fifty years, practicing until he was almost 80, and inspiring his son, Patrick, to also become a doctor. He was generous with his time as one of the first doctors who volunteered for Monsignor Richard McCabe's Volunteer Healthcare Clinic. A cancer survivor himself, Dennis loved being a doctor. Some of his final moments were spent encouraging his oldest grandson, Briggs, to work hard as a first-year medical student.

Dennis was a devoted father who often presided over lengthy family dinners full of laughter and lively conversation. The food and debate at those dinners helped inspire his son, Kenneth, to become a chef, and his daughter, Sara, to become a lawyer. Dennis also greatly loved his two stepdaughters, Shannon and Rebecca; they enriched his life, and he enriched theirs. As a grandfather, Dennis attended countless baseball games, recitals, Grandparents' Days, graduations, and the like, and could always be counted upon to participate fully. He built an elaborate and beautiful dollhouse for his granddaughter, Kinsley, which was later used as part of the set in a production of Peter Pan in which Kinsley performed. He loved his Schnauzer, Bella, who curled up next to him for his final breaths.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Lezlie, with whom he shared a life of love, family, music and laughter; his children, Patrick and wife Charlotte, Sara, Kenneth and wife Rachel; his stepdaughters, Shannon DiSalvo and husband Leonard, Rebecca Warren and fiancé Joe Vrabel; his grandchildren, Briggs, Holden, Dylan, Kinsley, Caroline and Lucy; and his brother Mark and wife Kay and their children.

The family thanks those who cared for Dennis, including Dr. Jerry Fain, Dr. Joe Gallinghouse, Dr. Harsh Babbar, Dr. Mary Beth Cishek, and the nurses at Seton Williamson Hospital and Hospice Austin.

The family will welcome guests and visitors wishing to pay respects at a Celebration of Life honoring Dennis on Sunday, September 10th, between 4:30 and 7:30 pm at Malverde at La Condesa Restaurant, 400 W. 2nd St in downtown Austin. Metered street parking is available on all nearby streets and is free on Sundays. Garage parking is available in the AMLI garage on San Antonio St., and City Hall garage on 2nd St.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic, or to Hospice Austin.