Dennis Salisbury was born in 1962 in Walnut Creek, California. He moved with his family to Idaho in 1972 where he lived until graduation from high school in Coeur d’Alene. He attended the University of Idaho, Whitworth University, and the University of Washington College of Medicine, where he met the love of his life Jessie. He completed residency at Phoenix Baptist in 1993 and high-risk OB fellowship in Spokane, Washington in 1994. He moved to Butte, Montana in 1994 and remained in practice there until the time of his death. Dennis was highly respected in the field of Family Medicine both locally and at the state level. He was a member of a group of physicians that is monikered “Grand-doctors:” this title means he served the citizens of Butte long enough to deliver babies to women that he had delivered. He was very dedicated to the care of patients. Nationally he worked tirelessly for patient advocacy through the AAFP and on Capitol Hill; his work impacted many individuals.
Dennis had a great sense of humor and a positive attitude. He was known for his ability to build consensus with wit and thoughtful perspective. He was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal church and then Christ Church Anglican. He was an avid percussionist for the Butte Symphony for many years. He enjoyed reading multiple books simultaneously, dabbling in coffee roasting and telling dad-jokes. He loved his family; traveling; skiing, camping, and hiking in Montana; and collecting various watercraft. His wife and three children as well as his extended family, coworkers and colleagues will ardently miss his loquaciousness, his genuine love of the Lord and his intentionality. They will not however miss his sailboat “… if only that would have gone with him.”
Please offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Dennis. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Dennis and his family.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
Saint Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
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Kamrie Smith says
Dr. Jessie Salisbury and family,
Dr. Dennis Salisbury assisted on my risky c-section that thankfully had a very good outcome and we are forever grateful for his part in that! I remember him joking during the procedure and it easing my anxious mind.
Our family is incredibly sorry for your pain and loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers as you begin the slow process of healing. We pray that God will wrap his comforting arms around you all .
Sincerely,
Brandon, Kamrie, and Adalynn Smith
Ssndra Burch says
Dr. Jesse, Ian,Hannah, and Maddie,
I became Dennis’s patient way back in 95, I had been through severe emotion and physical abuse as a child and it was extremely hard for me to trust anyone due to sexual abuse. Then I met Dennis after having some trama with the delivery of my first son in Utah. Dennis listened to me and my story for over an hour that first visit and he let tears slip down his cheeks. That’s when I knew, I knew that I could trust this man. In 97 I had my daughter and had some complications with us not expecting her to be as big as she was. I ended up breaking her collar bone and Dennis asked if I knew of a specific pediatrician that could also take a look at her, enter you of course Jesse. You helped me learn how to care and nurse my beautiful BIG baby, lol. I thought, this family is AMAZING! Jesse, you then discovered that my older son had asthma and was actually getting sick all the time. I will never forget the time you took showing me how to do his treatments and what he would act like when first starting to have an attack so I could get on top of it. In 98 I had my last son in Colorado and had to have an emergency C-section and my tubes were tied at that point but my son was very ill and I wasn’t doing so hot either. The Dr. Out there just kept saying I had baby blues but I just didn’t feel right. I called Dennis, him telling me that if I could make it back he would take a look. One look at me and he knew something was wrong. The infection from my son had been sealed in my tubes during the tubal ligation. I was immediately put into the hospital on a crazy amount of antibiotics, but he always seemed to fix me. I was later diagnosed with a brain tumor, slipped discs, PTSD and fibromyalgia among a lot of depression. Dennis took the time to help with each of these, being patient with each step. Then one night something happened, something was very wrong! My daughter rushed me to the ER to find out I was having a serotonin attack. They were talking about putting a shunt in and I was terrified! But then just like that, bam, Dennis was there. He took turns holding my hand and standing at the foot of the bed telling me I was ok, to listen to his voice and nothing else and breathe. He prayed for me and I came out of it. Some years later Dennis helped me to leave a very toxic, abusive marriage! He would wipe my tears away, and hold my hands in between his and pray with me, leading my way back to God. And let’s not forget those famous hugs of his as I left the office. Fast forward to him delivering my grandchildren, earning him the name of GRAND DOCTOR! Laken, the oldest, is having a very hard time missing him. She understands at 5 years old and is devastated. She still sings that damn monkey song… Mama called the Dr. And Dr. Dennis says, no more monkeys jumping on the bed. He taught her how to say stethoscope at 2 years old. She loves him greatly and I know he her. Next my daughter finds out she’s having a boy, we decide to name him after Dennis. He is Robert-James FREDRICK! They liked to bump fists, or as Dennis called it, pounding it..lol! Last lil Ophelia is born. She’s only a year but Dennis would cuddle and tickle her toes as often as possible if you didn’t see her first Jesse. I know this was a very long and drawn out story, but I just want other to know what your family already knows, this was an INCREDIBLY, REMARKABLE MAN! HE IS THE ONLY MAN THAT HAD EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE THAT HAS NOT DISAPPOINTED ME, NOT ONCE!! He held is standards high! He was not just my Dr. But my friend, my confident, the man I looked up to and the only father figure I ever had. Jesse, you will always be family, you will always be the kid’s Grand Doctor and the kids will always know the man you called husband. The only solace we have been able to offer lil Laken is that she gets to see and be with you, they all will! I can’t begin to imagine the pain your family is in knowing that in just the 24 years I’ve known this amazing man, my heart is shattered. The last time I saw Dennis was just a few weeks ago, our last appointment. I think he must have known something as he gave me a new prescription for anxiety and a referral for counseling telling me to fill it, but that I would know when I needed to begin this. He’s still looking after me now! This picture was taken then of he, lil Laken and I. My heart aches for your family and I hope the angels know what an amazing gift they have received. Love you all, Sandra
Jason J. says
Firstly. Sandra knows that it is spelled Frederic. Auto correct changed it because Dennis had a unique name. As he did a unique personality. I only met Dennis the one time but the way my wife talked about him I already knew him to be a good man. I looked up to me as he was Sandra’s most idolized man. He did more for her in the years he knew her than most people do for others in a lifetime. He will be missed by many.
Sheila ueland says
Jessie and family, so very sorry for your loss. He was such a great man. We certainly will miss him!! Love and prayers. Sheila Ueland
Kaili Busby says
I came to know Dennis Salisbury the end of April 1995. I was pregnant with my first baby and I was seeing a nurse practitioner. One day I was feeling very bad and called the nurse practitioner who told me to immediately go to the ER in Butte (I lived in Anaconda). I did and the nurse practitioner had two doctors associated to help when pregnancies go beyond her expertise. One of the doctors was Dennis Salisbury. While in the hospital, he was researching what to do about my symptoms of Pre-elcampsia and had been speaking regularly with a doctor in Great Falls, which was the premier NICU and OBGYN at the time. Dr. Salisbury wanted to keep me on bed rest in the hospital. On the day he wasn’t on duty, the other doctor released me to go home on bed rest with home health, which was very new at the time. I went home and the following morning I woke with the same pain as before. I had to do the run through with home health and someone take me to Dr. Salisbury’s office because I felt he had a better understanding of how to best treat my symptoms. He immediately put me in the hospital and called the doctor in Great Falls. Well, the hospital wasn’t reporting my pain to Dr. Salisbury and when he came to see me after his office time, I was immediately flown to Great Falls to have my baby and nearly had my liver rupture from the Pre-eclampsia. I will always remember him and his kind nature and willingness to go above and beyond to help me. He very well saved my life and my baby’s life that day.
Joan Roche says
To family of Dr Dennis Salisbury,
So sorry for your loss. I was priviledged to work with Dr at the Mt Tech Student Health Center and RMC. He will be sorely missed in the health care community. He was a caring, helpful person. May he rest in peace. May God give you strength to cope with your sadness .
Sincerely , Joan Roche(retired nurse)
christie cox says
Jessie and family
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers have been with you. Christie Cox RN
Lisa Maunder says
Dr. Salisbury became my doctor in 1995. He took care of me with my 2nd and 3rd pregnancy and continued to be my doctor all these years. He sincerely cared about his patients. He was someone you could trust. I remember when he was going through cancer and other doctors filling in for him. I was glad he made it through his cancer. I recall him going through a second time with the cancer too. I was also happy he was still here when I started menopause! I was so terrified of going through it. I seen him last 6 months ago for a check up with my blood pressure. I don’t remember why I brought up the subject of my great niece beating cancer twice. As I was leaving the office I said still cancer free! He said yes! I said I’m glad your doing well and he said thank you. That was the last time I seen him.
Shannon Holland says
Jessie and family,
I am so saddened to hear of Dennis’s passing as he was such a dear friend who will be missed. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Shannon Holland
Denise Hahnkamp says
To the family of Dennis Salisbury, I just heard about the passing of Dr. Salisbury. I am so sad and so very sorry for your loss. He delivered both of my boys, now age 15 & 20, and was my personal doctor for over 20 years. He was a wonderful, caring doctor. He will genuinely be missed by so many.
Sheila Howell says
I am so sorry to hear of Dr Salisbury’s passing. I am one of the nurses who works in the after-hours call center and I thought that he was a very kind man. I am praying for your family as you go through this time of sorrow.
Sheila Howell, RN
Louis Capponi says
Dennis made the most incredible impression on me from the very first time we met. I will always remember him as warm, personable, positive in voice and deed, and so clearly kind. His passion for quality and patient safety as well as advocacy for his fellow physicians is a legacy that will endure.
Louis J Capponi, MD