Paul Dees

Dr. Paul Dees, 87, of Edgewood, Washington, passed away on December 5, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.

Paul was born on February 5, 1938, in Decatur, Michigan to parents Marinus and Lena. The first of three children, he grew up on a farm in Michigan, surrounded by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and his maternal grandparents. (His parents both came from families with 12 children!) His parents were both Dutch and had emigrated to the US from the Netherlands - his mother with her parents in 1913 at the age of 4, his father with a childhood friend in 1929 at the age of 22. Paul graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1963 and completed his orthodontic graduate training at the University of Washington in 1967. He married Nancy Peterson in 1961, and they decided to stay in Washington after he graduated from UW – moving from Seattle to Puyallup where he set-up his orthodontic practice in 1967.

Paul spent most of his life in the same house on the North Hill of Puyallup (later renamed Edgewood) with Nancy, where he became a respected orthodontist and a beloved member of the community. He practiced orthodontics in downtown Puyallup for more than 30 years, where his steady hands, thoughtful care, and meticulous attention to detail shaped countless smiles. He approached his work with the same qualities that defined his life – hard work, honesty, curiosity, intelligence, and unwavering determination.

Outside the office, Paul found joy in the things that truly lit him up: his family, fishing (both throughout Washington and in other countries, particularly Mexico), anything and everything to do with vehicles, traveling the world with Nancy and often his kids, and more recently, spending time with his grandsons and crafting beautiful silver pendants. He enjoyed telling stories – rich, vivid, and packed with EVERY small detail – stories that became one of the traits his family and friends cherished most. Paul was a wonderful, loving, and doting grandfather – attending most of his grandsons’ sporting events and always asking when he could see them next.

Paul never met a stranger. He continued to make new friends and keep old friends throughout his life. He was never afraid to start a conversation, often asking someone he met for the first time where they were from. He always remembered his roots and was unpretentious and unassuming. His integrity, honesty, and friendliness will be remembered and missed by many.

Paul is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy Dees of Edgewood; his children, Kristy Dees of Tumwater, Jon Dees of Edgewood, Eric Dees of Auburn, and Susy Rohrbach (Mike) of Olympia; seven grandchildren; and his siblings, Anne De La Torriente (Manuel) of South Carolina and Marvin Dees (Marsha) of South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marinus and Lena Dees.

The family invites all who loved Paul to remember his life with warm stories, shared memories, and small acts of kindness. A service has not been scheduled at this time.