EUGENE, Ore. -- Dr. David Fryefield got the news Sunday night:

His good friend and colleague, Dr. Gary Lee, died while climbing Mount Hood Sunday.

"I just went numb, which is what you do in this situation," he said.

Fryefield said he and Lee opened their medical practices the same day in Eugene in 1984.  In the past 24 years, the two physicians had grown very close.

Fryefield remembered his friend as a dedicated father and good athlete who was an avid mountain climber.

"He loved doing it, he absolutely loved doing it," he said.  "We even had a conversation one time and I asked if he was afraid.  He said no, he never was.  He climbed mountains that were much more difficult than Mount Hood.  He's climbed Mount Hood a million times. Sometimes tragedies happen."

Colleagues estimated Lee treated thousands of patients and saved hundreds of lives.

He served as director of hospice at Sacred Heart Medical Center and co-chaired the hospital's ethics committee. 

Lee was also known as a vocal opponent of physician-assisted suicide. 

Bob Scheri, who co-chaired the ethics committee with Lee, said he'll remember Lee for his dedication to patients.

"We've learned what works best for most patients, but Gary was always interested in what works for this patient," Scheri said.  Lee wanted to know "how can he listen to their story and what is going on and customize their care."

Lee is survived by his wife and two children.