Dr. Gilbert W. Douglas died at his Arizona home, on December 16, 2015.
He was born on February 5, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. He married Joan Peters on June 18, 1950. She predeceased him on April 18, 1990.
He is survived by his present wife, Cora Lee Watkins, whom he married on July 4, 1992. Also surviving are four sons and one daughter, Gilbert, Jr. (April), Dr. Daniel J. (Stephanie), Jeffrey (Lea Ann), Susan (Timothy) Banks, and Peter. Also surviving are a stepdaughter, DeLynda (Christopher) Barber and a stepson, Darren Olson. Surviving grandchildren are Rachael Douglas, Gilbert W. Douglas III (Rachel Diercks), Jason Douglas, Jennifer (Ben) Kepler, Stacy (Mike) Johnson, Allison Douglas, Kyle (Vanessa) Banks, Emily Banks, Sean Banks, Christopher Douglas, and Melissa and Kelly Douglas. Surviving great grandsons are Tate and Jack Johnson, and Asa Banks. A great granddaughter is expected in January 2016.
Dr. Douglas was a Diplomate of the Board of General Surgery and the Board of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at the Galesburg Clinic for 35 years.
He was educated at the University of Illinois and the Chicago Medical School of the University of Health Sciences. He interned at the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago and at the University of Illinois Research Hospital and Hines VA Hospital. He served on the faculties of the University of Illinois Medical School and Rush Medical School. He was a member of many surgical societies. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He was a past president of the Knox County Medical Society.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in France and Germany. He credited the G.I. Bill of Rights for the financial help in furthering his medical education. He was a longtime leader at the Galesburg Clinic and instrumental in moving the OSF Galesburg Clinic and OSF St. Mary Medical Center to its present location.
He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder. He was a member of the District 205 School Board during the drive to implement the bond referendum to build the middle schools and high school addition.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 27, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Funeral will be Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, where military honors will be provided following the service. Graveside services for family members to be at Mt. Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois. Donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Knox College, or OSF St. Mary Medical Foundation.
