Donald Michael Kay's Obituary
Dr. Donald Michael Kay, 86, of Delray Beach, FL, a long-time Bay Area resident, passed away on February 10, 2025 from complications of lung cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Bonnie Levinson; son Stephen and wife Susan Bloch Kay; daughter Debbie Kay Reed and husband Joseph Reed; brother Robert; grandson Aaron and wife Lyndsay Nevins; great-granddaughters Poppy and Leni; grandson Jesse and wife Christy Chollak; grandson Julian; niece Liza Levinson and husband Felipe Olmeta; great-grandnephew Jack Olmeta; and niece Emily Levinson. Dr. Kay was married for 37 years to the late Judy Kay who passed away in 1995.
A beloved dermatologist for 52 years, Dr. Kay founded Peninsula Dermatology in Burlingame. He was on staff at Mills-Peninsula Hospital, served as a Clinical Professor at UCSF and was an Attending Physician at SF General. In 2009, Dr. Kay received a Special Recognition Award from the Clinical Faculty Association at UCSF.
Following undergraduate studies at UCLA, Dr. Kay received his BS and MD degrees from UCSF School of Medicine. He served as a Medical Officer in the US Air Force in England and then completed a three-year residency at UCSF.
He was a member of many local and national Dermatologic societies and a leader in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the San Mateo County Medical Society and the Burlingame School District Board of Trustees.
Everyone admired Dr. Kay’s style and joie de vivre. He was a true renaissance man who loved music, theatre, fine art, literature, gourmet food and wine. He was an accomplished classical pianist, as well as an avid skier and hiker. He traveled the world with family and friends, and enjoyed many wonderful adventures.
A private celebration of his life will be held in the Bay Area.
Those wishing to honor Donald with a memorial contribution are kindly encouraged to
consider a donation to Trustbridge Hospice at:
https://trustbridge.com/
or to the Dermatology Foundation at:
https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/dermatology
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
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Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
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