Update: Memorial is March 3 for Jeff Marxen, ‘Doctor’s Doctor’

Updated at 1:35 p.m. Feb. 26, 2012

A memorial celebration of life is planned a 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, for Dr. Jeffrey Marxen, a “doctor’s doctor” and popular orthopedic surgeon who was killed while riding his motorcycle Thursday night in Mira Mesa.

Colleagues at Sharp Grossmont Hospital and friends at the La Mesa Rotary Club were mourning the death of Marxen, who would have turned 61 in April. His family provided an obituary, seen here.

According to the county Medical Examiner’s Office, Marxen “was the helmeted rider and sole occupant on a 2005 yellow Honda Goldwing motorcycle traveling northbound along the 11900 block of Black Mountain Road in San Diego.”

For unknown reasons, authorities said, he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, mounted the east curb line, and was thrown from his motorcycle.

“He struck a large blue metal canister protecting a water main line along the curb line,” the office said. “Bystanders stopped to render aid. San Diego police and fire personnel responded to the scene.  [But] despite resuscitative efforts, he was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. His examination has yet to be scheduled.”

An investigator with the Medical Examiner’s Office said an autopsy was performed Friday, which included toxicology tests that might determine whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.

The investigator said “multiple system blunt-force injuries” caused the death, but contributing factors would be in an autopsy report.

In a message to staff Friday morning, Sharp Grossmont CEO Michele Tarbet said Marxen, a staff member since 1980, “had served in multiple leadership roles and those efforts have resulted in countless improvements to our patient care processes. Dr. Marxen was a highly respected surgeon in San Diego and we will surely miss his orthopedic expertise. More importantly, Dr. Marxen was a friend to us all.”

NBC San Diego said Marxen was thrown 150 feet in the crash. It aired video of the scene Thursday night.

Marxen, a married Carmel Valley resident, was a longtime member of the La Mesa Rotary Club, and was its president in 1990-1991.

News of his death was shared with fellow Rotarians in an email sent Friday morning by Mary Ellington, who wrote:  “It is with a heavy heart that I deliver the sad news that Dr. Jeffrey Marxen, our beloved member, was killed in a motorcycle accident last evening.”

Dr. H. Glenn Kellogg, a Grossmont Hospital colleague, added Sunday:  “It was my honor to sponsor Jeff in the La Mesa Rotary Club when I was president in 1981-2.  He became one of our best presidents and led the club nicely in singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider.”

Dr. Bill Pogue, another retired Grossmont Hospital physician, said Marxen had an unusual, arresting, unique and wonderful sense of humor, “which would stop you in your tracks.”

Marxen was a member of the Grossmont/Sharp Medical Staff Happiness Committee, Pogue said via email.

“It functions well, and arranges events for the doctors, who are otherwise increasingly isolated from one another.  There are 17 events a year.”

Marxen also was a member of six-doctor band, which “played at clubs occasionally, for the hospital, parties, and are very good,” Pogue said. 

“Jeff was a ‘doctor’s doctor’ ... as they sought him out for treatment of their orthopedic problems,” Pogue said.  “He was very personable, and took pride in his caring relationships with his patients;  he seemed to know their hobbies, their interests, their families, and, HE CARED ABOUT THEM;  a really great guy.

“I will miss him very much, as will the entire community.”

Mary England, CEO of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, said: “Jeff Marxen’s presence was known the minute he was in a room.  He was passionate about his patients and the Rotary Club and our projects.  He had a quick wit and could make you laugh with a single comment or remark.

“His band was fabulous and he enjoyed playing and interacting with the band and crowds.  He spoke fondly about his ‘gigs’ with his band. I shall miss him and still can’t believe that he is gone.”

Tom Kilcheski told of two bands Marxen played in—Soul Purpose and ACME Rhythm and Blues Revue.

Soul was a band of doctors, nurses and X-ray technologists at three June Happiness Committee concerts, Kilcheski said.

But “his primary band for many years had been ACME Rhythm and Blues [Revue],” he said. “It is with this band that Dr. Marxen performed at numerous events and clubs, including Humphrey’s Backstage.”

Kilcheski continued:

Jeff was never one to avoid a challenge, be it physical, intellectual or musical, and worked hard to succeed at all he tried to accomplish. Jeff was never shy about sharing his opinion, yet he was always more interested in the thoughts of others.

He was self-effacing and collegial, enjoying his friends and interested to swap stories about each other’s families. He deeply loved his wife and their children and was proud of their successes more than his own.

Jeff was above all an honest and loyal friend to so many of his colleagues and co-workers in East County. This has been a very sad day for us all.

A family obituary for Jeffrey Leonard Marxen is posted here, and includes information on a celebration of life memorial at 1 p.m. March 3 at Shadow Mountain Community Church, 2100 Greenfield Drive in El Cajon.

In the current issue of The Tattler, La Mesa Rotary’s email newsletter, editor Deanna Price wrote:

 
As I battle with my own sadness and try to make sense of this tragic loss, I reflect on the human being, Jeff Marxen, and I find the thoughts of him bring a huge smile to my face and a sense of lightness and joy that I was able to share moments of my life with him.

Jeff had a twinkle in his eye and an infectious smile. He was a dedicated and highly skilled surgeon and made San Diego Magazine’s “Top Doc” many years.

He was an educator and often took on the task of teaching medical students and residents. He had a passion for the field. He was a long time Rotarian and Past President and, despite his crazy work schedule, he rarely missed a meeting. He was a “healthy” eater and was often teased about his portion sizes.

He loved helping people and this showed through his service in Rotary.

Jeff was a devoted family man to his children, step children and his beautiful wife Annette. My heart is heavy for their loss. Jeff played softball, played in a jazz band and just loved life. He did what he wanted, loved what he wanted and said what he wanted. His life seemed fulfilled and without regret.

I will miss Jeff terribly but feel blessed to have been able to call him friend.