Jan Eugene Whitefield

Jun 30, 1945 -

Aug 23, 2025

Jan Eugene Whitefield died on Aug. 23, 2025, due to complications of Parkinson's disease in Medford, Ore. He was 80 years old.

Jan, Bud to his family, was born on June 30, 1945, in Rochester, Pa., to Geraldine and Louis Whitefield, the third of four children. He grew up in the home his parents built themselves, in a rural area outside Pittsburgh, where they grew most of what they ate. Much of his described memories included working in the family gardens, many card games and observing his father invent things like an electric hot dog roaster.

By age 9, Jan had a distinctive beautiful voice. A baritone, he sang in church choirs, attending with his mother and grandmother, Gigi. During high school he had the opportunity to travel Europe with a choir, something made possible by Gigi, who encouraged his pursuit of singing and pinched pennies to make it happen.

Jan began his extensive education at Penn State, receiving scholarships which allowed him to earn his bachelor's in physics and his master's in electrical engineering. He enlisted in the Air Force during Vietnam, which ultimately took him to Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, N.M. He worked in the Weapons Laboratory and completed his doctorate in electrical engineering at UNM. After serving, Jan taught engineering prior to deciding to pursue medicine. Jan attended medical school at UNM and continued there for one year in family medicine before ultimately completing his OB-GYN residency.

Recently divorced, about to turn 40, and open to change, Jan accepted a 2-year contract in Anchorage, Alaska, to help open a new OB-GYN office. Two years turned into nearly 40. He became a beloved doctor, teacher, colleague and friend to many. He mentored many medical students and resident physicians.

Jan was passionate about many things, however choral singing, women's health and reproductive rights, and, maybe, good scotch were among the most important to him. For close to 35 years, Jan was an active member of the Anchorage Concert Chorus, singing in as many concerts and tours as possible; he was exceptionally proud of fulfilling his lifelong dream of singing at Carnegie Hall.

Jan was a staunch advocate of women's reproductive rights and felt compelled to assist efforts to protect them, despite the negative attention and risk to his safety that invited.

Jan was a kind man above anything else. He was generous with his time, knowledge and talents. Jan truly cared for people, but especially those who might not have the means or voice to speak for themselves. His colleagues, family and friends knew him to possess a particular gift of making you feel important and cared for, whether just in passing or in deep conversation.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and niece: William "Billy" Whitefield, Albert "Butch" Whitefield, Barbara Novotni and Sandra Chesley.

Jan is survived by his wife, Karen Hilyard; their children and spouses, Sarah Poggi and Ian Dernbach, Bryce and Lilly Patton, and Anyi Patton; nephew and nieces and their families, Scott Teaf, Susanne Fleming, Debbie Lade, Sherie Curry and Sandy Caracciolo; cousins, David and Cathy Colletto; as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews.

There will be a Memorial service for Jan on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., at Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova Street in Anchorage. Livestream available at centluth.org, click worship link.