It’s with great sadness we announce the passing of Alvin R. Loosli, M.D., a beloved doctor, friend, father, grandfather, husband and profoundly cherished member of the community. His life was full of love and joy and ultimately ended on June 15th, 2022 by way of a brain tumor.
Al and his twin brother Ed were born on November 30, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Clayton G. Loosli (Idaho) and Jean Pedersen (Utah). His love of sports was a constant throughout his life and when the family moved to South Pasadena in high school, Al excelled in football and basketball. In 1960, he attended Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, where he majored in chemistry. It was there he continued his passion for athletics by playing football throughout the duration of his education. In college, he also pledged to the Kappa Sigma fraternity and perhaps most notably met his future wife, Connie Clay (Missouri) on her first day of school. In 1964, he began his medical journey at UCSF Medical School, San Francisco, CA, followed by a general internship at Los Angeles County Hospital.
In June of 1967, Al and Connie were married in Kansas City. They started their family in 1969, welcoming daughter Jenna, as he continued his pursuit of his medical career. Al was proud to serve as a flight surgeon in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 1969 -1972, taking care of army helicopter pilots and their families, while still continuing his passion for sports by fulfilling the role of player-coach to the Fort Bragg Volleyball team. He led the team to the Army Tournament Championship two years in a row - traveling in a military bus through venues in the south. This experience inspired Al and when he finished with the military, he chose to focus his career in family practice medicine. He began a residency at the Contra Costa County Hospital in Martinez, CA, where he spent time in general medicine, orthopedics & trauma, finding time to deliver at least 500 babies in the first few years of his career. Al, Connie and two year old Jenna settled into a wonderful neighborhood in Walnut Creek in 1972.
They welcomed two more children, Becca and Clay, and their family thrived - growing their community in the neighborhood with a network of friends and extended family that remains in place today. Al’s love of sports never wavered and in 1980 he began practicing rehabilitation & Sports Medicine at the Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco. The practice was ahead of its time with active Physical Therapy and Pilates programs available for all patients. He founded its satellite clinic, The Walnut Creek Center for Sports Medicine, in 1986. Al flourished in the lane of sports medicine and it allowed him to travel in a professional capacity with USA international teams numerous times - including as the national swim team doctor at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. His practice attracted many professional athletes throughout the years and he remained a medical consultant to Olympians and many others until his passing. He had numerous articles and research papers published as well as speaking and teaching engagements throughout his career. Al’s relentless optimism was infectious and inspired patients of all ages and abilities on their path to healing. He particularly enjoyed working with teenagers, volunteering with local high schools and being a sideline doc for at least 40 years. Al’s daily practice consisted of active and motivated people of all ages and all levels of athletic ability. He greatly enjoyed treating his patients until he reluctantly retired on May 14th, 2022.
Al worked exceptionally hard and enjoyed every minute of it . . . and he also loved to play. He enjoyed waterfalls, hiking, flower arranging, tie dying, food, ipad photography and, of course, music. These are the things that filled him full of joy and allowed his creativity to flourish.
Al is lovingly remembered by wife Connie Loosli; children Jenna Loosli Carson, Becca Loosli, & Clayton Loosli; grandchildren JD Carson, Dimond Loosli, Brady Carson, Lexi Carson, & Kaia Loosli; twin brother Ed Loosli and many other family members and friends that will miss him deeply. Friends and family are welcome to attend a memorial service celebrating his life on October 8th, 2022 at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. Details, stories and tributes can be shared on the website
https://www.forevermissed.com/allooslimd/about
