Robert D. Gillette, M.D.

Poland - Robert D. Gillette, M.D., 88, passed away Saturday morning, July 13, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.

Robert was born November 30, 1930 in Toledo, OH, the son of the late Robert and Miriam Gillette.

Raised in Toledo, Robert was a graduate of Libbey High School, Class of 1948. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio in 1952.  A third generation physician, Dr. Gillette received his MD degree from The University of Cincinnati 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, Ohio for 15 years.  He then mentored new physicians in family practice residency programs affiliated with the Medical College of Ohio and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In 1987 he accepted a position with the Family Practice Residency program at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown. 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 Academy of Family Physicians, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, and served as editor of The Ohio Family Physician. 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.

Robert was a member of the Poland Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. He also served as Moderator of the Eastminster Presbytery.  Bob 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.

Robert 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 Robert's life will be held on Saturday, August 24th at 11:00am at the Poland Presbyterian Church, Poland, OH.  Friends will be received prior to the service from 10:00-10:45am.  A luncheon will follow the service.

Robert's family requests that any gifts take the form of contributions to Doctors Without Borders, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030, DoctorsWithoutBorders.org or to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Church (USA), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700, pda.pcusa.org.