Doctor Karin van Hoek
A Life of Love, Service, and Passion: In Memory of Doctor Karin van Hoek (1953 – 2025)
With Full Hearts and Profound Gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we honor the memory of Dr. Karin van Hoek—a woman of extraordinary compassion, integrity, and purpose. She passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2025, at the age of 72 with her loving husband at her side. To those who knew her, Karin was a steadfast partner, a loyal and joyful friend, and a mother in every sense to the dogs she raised and cherished as her children. Her presence was a source of steadiness and warmth, a rock upon which many leaned.
A Doctor, a Healer, a Pioneer, a Graduate of Dartmouth in 1979, Karin went on to become the first female cardiologist in Santa Barbara, forging a path for countless women in medicine who followed. For over 45 years, she served the Santa Barbara community as both a cardiologist and internist, practicing with the ethos of an old-fashioned doctor that was ever-available, fiercely thorough, and endlessly compassionate with unfailing commitment. Her patients felt genuinely seen, heard, and cared for. Karin’s medical practice was not just a profession—it was an extension of her deep belief in kindness, justice, and service. Through her work she proudly supported PETA, aligning her vocation with her values.
The Joy of Vegan Cooking, Karin brought care and joy to the kitchen just as she did to her medical clinic. A passionate and creative vegan cook, she lovingly assembled a to be published cookbook—a collection of dishes created to nourish the people she adored. Her joy was amplified by sharing meals with friends and family, each plate a quiet act of love.
Environmental Advocate, the natural world was one of Karin’s greatest loves, and she devoted herself to protecting it. She was a founding force in the San Marcos Foothills Coalition, whose efforts preserved the open space so many continue to enjoy today—proof that the dedication of a few can indeed achieve greatness. A lifelong member of the Sierra Club, she passionately pursued understanding of environmental issues. She tirelessly pursued the origins and pollution of chemical trails that fill our skies. Her advocacy was persistent, brave, and rooted in a desire to safeguard the world for this and future generations.
A Lifelong Athlete and Lover of Tennis, on the court, Karin was in her element—competitive, spirited, and joyful. She loved playing with friends, she never missed a major tournament, and she cherished attending events such as the French Open. As a lifelong member of the USTA, tennis was not just a pastime, but a thread woven throughout her life.
A Beautiful Human Being, above all, Karin was defined by her heart. She cared deeply and passionately for those she loved. Her friendships spanned decades, each one nurtured with loyalty, tenderness, and generosity. If a friend was in need, Karin showed up. Without hesitation. Without expectation.
She was loving.
She was kind.
She was charitable.
She made the world better simply by inhabiting it.
Dr. Karin van Hoek’s life was a testament to courage, grace, and unwavering devotion—to her community, her patients, her planet, her friends, her family, and the animals she adored.
May her memory be a blessing and may those who loved her find comfort in knowing they were cherished by one of the most remarkable souls to walk this earth.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1pm – Sunset, on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Cabrillo Pavilion, at 1118 E. Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara. If you would like to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible to DavidNiles@lbdsb.com.
To honor Karin please make a charitable donation, in her memory, to one of these organizations: ASPCA, PETA, SIERRA CLUB, HEAL THE OCEAN, OR GREENPEACE.
