It was an intimate gathering of 100 people or so who had just one thing in common – special memories of their small town doctor, Dr. Donald Dill.
Although he retired from practice at the end of last year, all gathered to pay homage and say thank you to the man who sat by their side in times of illness and grief; who made house calls in the middle of the night; who served them (and their families) since 1961.
The event took place Thursday evening at Coronado Yacht Club. Much to the surprise and delight of guests, Dr. Dill was delivered in a limousine and then quickly transported to a medical gurney.
Retired fireman Wayne Strickland and his team, in full medical response team attire, wheeled the good doctor into the yacht club aboard his red, white and blue-decorated gurney.
Attached to the side were a flag that said, “Margaritaville,” and a Margarita-filled IV bag with a thin hose Dill could drink from. The Margarita was made with the best tequila money could buy.
The tone was set. As Dr. Dill was helped into a large, wooden throne on the yacht club paddock, his wife, Christine, gently placed a gold crown on his head.
The West Coast Ironworks played classic, first-generation Rock ‘n’ Roll before and after the event, but the heart of the evening involved numerous testimonials from former patients that filled the air with emotional gratitude.
Mayor Casey Tanaka read a City Proclamation naming it “Dr. Don Dill Day,” and then, imploring the crowd to, “Wait for it,” announced our City Council had named the entire month “Donald Dill Month.” The crowd leapt to their feet and roared with appreciation. Doctor Dill wiped an eye. And so was the mood of the evening – one of respect and adulation for Coronado’s most famous “small town doctor.”
The event was the idea of former Coronado resident Dean Atkinson, who couldn’t be here in person. A committee was formed months ago, and while several of the committee members likewise couldn’t be in attendance (due to previous plans), an incredible job was done by Corinne Coury who stepped up and made things happen.
Coury enlisted donations, delegated responsibilities, and put together one of those perfect evenings that everyone will cherish having been a part of. Planning an event of this magnitude is one thing. Planning it, knowing you won’t be in attendance to monitor all the moving parts, meant she had to create an ironclad event. She did.
Others on the committee included Wayne Strickland, Liz Forsyth, Claudia Gallant, Mark Blumenthal and Atkinson. Blumenthal and Jane Mitchell served as presenters of the event. A special film is being made of the tribute to present to Dr. Dill. It will include hundreds of testimonials, photographs and the video from the evening.
Dr. Dill stayed until the bitter end, greeting everyone in attendance and sharing stories and fond memories. There were third and fourth generation patients in the house – some who shared absolute miracles at the hands of Dr. Dill.
And then there were the many doctors who entered the medical field literally by virtue of the inspiration they received as young children from Dr. Dill and his very special bedside manner.
As the tributes came to a close, Dr. Dill took the podium to say a few words. He raised his arms and said, “I love you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” The emotion of the evening was just too overwhelming for him to say more. Again, the crowd rose to their feet to honor their small town doctor and a living legacy that may never be equaled in Coronado.
Postscript: My journey this past 50 years in Coronado would not be complete if I didn’t offer my own gratitude and memories of Dr. Donald Dill. He made house calls to my ailing father right up until the very end. Dad would really begin to beam when he heard the big engine of Dill’s Excalibur roaring up and into the driveway. They would spend ten minutes dealing with his medical needs, and then sit and talk for an hour about cars, the Big Band Era (my dad played trumpet in that memorable era) and in general be good ol’ boys on the front porch. God Bless you Dr. Dill. I’ll never forget the love and healing you brought into our home, and I am eternally grateful for your friendship all these many, many years.
