Dennis Vitale

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Dennis Elwood Vitale passed away peacefully at the age of 86 in Provo, Utah. He was born in Salt Lake City on January 11, 1935 to Elpedio “Hap”and Anne Wahlin Vitale.

Dennis graduated from South High School, the University of Utah, and the University of Maryland Medical School. He put his brilliant mind and precise perfectionism to good use as the only pediatric surgeon in Utah County. He treated every baby and child with meticulous exactness and never tolerated mediocrity in himself or in those whose care these precious children depended on. Because of this high standard and his extraordinary dedication, diligence, and skill, he forever changed the lives of countless families. In doing so, he endured endless sleepless nights and sacrificed precious time away from his family, but he did it willing, always keeping his sense of humor and keen intellect until the very end.

Dennis is survived by his adored wife of 60 years, Karen Christensen Vitale, and their four daughters, eleven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. He loved his growing posterity and found great joy in their many successes and accomplishments. He told them how proud he was of them and how much he loved them at every opportunity. He also took the time to teach them the hobbies that he enjoyed most and excelled at, like tennis, bowling, juggling, and the famous magic tricks that he used to entertain them and his young patients.

Dennis was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. His family is forever grateful for the example that he set as he lived his life selflessly in the service of others.

A private family graveside service will be held to honor his life. He will be laid to rest in the Provo City Cemetery.