Respected doctor and great golfer Lloyd Herman Thee, Jr., M.D. passed away on Memorial Day from multiple health complications. He was 84. Lloyd was a devoted husband, family doctor, medical officer, best friend, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, sports enthusiast and everyone’s hero. Born on August 22, 1921 in Long Beach to loving parents Lloyd and Louis Thee, he had a fulfilling childhood and loved playing baseball in high school. During this time Lloyd was oblivious to the flirtations of a junior high school girl named Mary Kathryn Pollard, (a.k.a. “Polly”), who first spotted him at a bus stop on the way to school and never kept her eyes off of him. Lloyd and Polly began dating just before Lloyd went off to Missouri to get his B.S. from Central College Fayette in the Navy V-12 program. They kept in touch via love letters for one year, when finally Lloyd returned on summer vacation for five days, proposing on the first day. They married on June 31, 1944 at the United Methodist Church. Lloyd moved his family to Pennsylvania while he pursued his M.D. from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. He and Polly had three children before graduation: Tom, Jim and Susie. Lloyd then graduated in 1948 and moved back to California. John, Nancy and Danny were born over the next few years in the Palisades. In 1949, Dr. Thee established his private practice in the Palisades until 1951, when he enlisted in the Navy and served as a medical officer until 1953. He returned and continued his private practice in the Palisades until 1988. Lloyd has a myriad of medical certifications, memberships and hospital affiliations, some of the highlights being Chief of Staff at Santa Monica Hospital in 1973-74; American Board of Family Physicians member in 1972, 1978 and 1984; an affiliate of St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica from 1949 to 1988; and a member of the American Medical Association. While living in the Palisades with Polly and their six children, Lloyd was not only a wonderful doctor but a proud family man. He was a Boy Scout troop leader and head coach for all the sports teams throughout his sons’ Little League years and high school. He also belonged to the Santa Monica Boys Club Board of Directors for 20 years. The family took many unique and memorable vacations, including a seven-month trip around the country to celebrate Lloyd and Polly’s 20th anniversary. Lloyd retired in March 1988 and moved to Laguna Niguel. He and Polly spent the latter part of these years traveling the world, to places like Africa, India, South America and Europe. Everyone remembers Lloyd for his respect, pride in his family and his medical practice. You could call him with any problem and he always knew the right answer. He was an honest gentleman, a great golfer and bridge player, and loved to eat chocolate. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Polly, six children: Tom in Canyon Country, Jim, in Montana, Susan Schlede (husband Terry) in Laguna Niguel, John in Camarillo, Nancy in Laguna Niguel, and Danny (wife Karen) in Oregon; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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