Dennis Glafkides
Jan. 24, 1935-Dec. 22, 2025
Pleasanton, California

Dr. E. Dennis Glafkides, distinguished physician, passed away on December 22, 2025 surrounded by his family.

Dr. Glafkides was born on January 24, 1935. He grew up in San Francisco and was the son of immigrant parents who greatly valued education. He graduated from Lowell High School, then received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley in 1956, and his medical degree from UCSF in 1960. He then began his internship at Highland Alameda County Hospital in Oakland. He was then called into the Army and served as a battalion surgeon in the 24 the Infantry Division in Munich Germany for 2 years.

After his term, he returned to Oakland and completed his 3-year residency in Internal Medicine at Highland Hospital (Oakland). In 1967 he enthusiastically began his private practice in Pleasanton and was a devoted physician for 60 years. He was a member of the Medical Staff at Valley Care Health System, serving in several leadership roles. These were Vice Chief of Staff, Head of the Department of Medicine, and Chairperson for Physicians Continuing Medical Education.

During his career he enjoyed reaching out to his patients treating their bodies and their person. They all became his beloved friends. Much of his spare time was spent investing his attention to the science of medicine. He gave special focus to the modern scientific discoveries, and how those could be utilized to improve the care of his patients. He retired after 60 years of medical practice in Pleasanton in early 2017. He will be remembered as a doctor who practiced with compassion, respect, a deep understanding of people, and an incredible sense of humor. He used his knowledge, philosophy, caring spirit, and sincere desire to heal, to touch the hearts and health of thousands of people and to save many lives.

He enjoyed music of the big bands, music of the 60’s and early 70’s, classical music. He also enjoyed the history of WWII. He loved playing the piano, gardening, automobiles, the beaches of Maui, his dog Ben, and his singing canary Buddy Boy.

Preceded in death by his parents, Eustratia and Michael, older brother Constantine, and both older sisters, Frossene and Katherine. He leaves behind the love of his life, Sylvia, whom he met at UCSF where she began her nursing career. They were married 2 years later and enjoyed a marriage of 64 years filled with love, adventure, happiness, and joy. The pride of his life was his 3 children Audrey, Carolyn and Denaki, as well as, their spouses Dan Schaefer and Stacie Glafkides, and his 7 grandchildren, Scott and Elise Pritchard, Hunter, Lauren, and Grace Schaefer, and Niko and Ava Glafkides. His sense of wry humor and silly fictional stories will be carried on by his grandchildren with smiles.

Donations in Doctor Glafkides’ memory can be made to the American Heart Association and Hospice East Bay.