Robert D. Gillette, MD, 88, passed away the morning of July 13 at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center. A member of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians since 1962, Dr. Gillette served as the editor of The Ohio Family Physician from January 1986-April 1993 and often contributed content after passing the editorial torch.
Dr. Gillette was born November 30, 1930, in Toledo, OH, the son of the late Robert and Miriam Gillette.
Raised in Toledo, Dr. Gillette was a graduate of Libbey High School, class of 1948. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, Oxford, OH, in 1952. A third generation physician, Dr. Gillette received his MD degree from The University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine in 1956. He fulfilled his military obligation by serving in the United States Public Health Service at the Indian Health Service hospital in Pine Ridge, SD. Specializing in family medicine, Dr. Gillette practiced in Huron, OH, for 15 years. He then mentored new physicians in family medicine residency programs affiliated with the Medical College of Ohio and the UC College of Medicine. In 1987, he accepted a position with the Family Medicine Residency program at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, OH. He retired in 1995 but continued working part-time as a relief physician for 10 more years.
Dr. Gillette was a member of the American and Ohio Academies of Family Physicians. He served as president of the Erie County (OH) Medical Society. He was the author of a book about practical approaches to medical procedures and contributed chapters to other medical books.
Dr. Gillette was a member of the Poland Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. He also served as Moderator of the Eastminster Presbytery. He enjoyed sailing on Lake Erie and in the North Channel region of Ontario. He was a train buff and frequent letter writer to the editor of The Vindicator. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels.
Dr. Gillette leaves his wife Marion, whom he married on June 27, 1953; two daughters, Margaret (William) Ahrens of China and Linda (Robert) Downs of Lake City, CO; one son, David (Denise) Gillette of Golden, CO; one brother, William B. (Virginia) Gillette of Indianapolis, IN; eight grandchildren, Benjamin (Kari) Ahrens, Mitchell (Cecilia) Ahrens, Russell (Maria) Ahrens, Kathryn (Cudi) Wirissa, Robert and Logan Gillette, Ross and Lia Downs; and three great-grandchildren, Colin, Mae, and Eliora.
A memorial service celebrating Dr. Gillette’s life will be held on Saturday, August 24, at 11 a.m. at the Poland Presbyterian Church in Poland, OH. Friends will be received prior to the service from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.
Dr. Gillette’s family requests that any gifts take the form of contributions to Doctors Without Borders, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030, or to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Church (USA), PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.