Obituary of Webster B. Gelman

Dr. Webster B. Gelman of Iowa City, Iowa died on January 21, 2008, after a long illness. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 25, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. A reception at the funeral home will immediately follow the service, after which there will be a private burial. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the University of Iowa Foundation, or the Johnson County Conservation Board to benefit F.W. Kent Park. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Dr. Gelman was born March 22, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Irving S. Gelman and Sylvia Witz Gelman. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Sullivan High School. In 1938 he received his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and in 1942 his M.D. degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago. From 1942 through 1943 he completed his internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Gelman served in the United States Navy for four years. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1942 and in 1943 he volunteered for active duty. As a Lieutenant J.G. he served as Ships’ Medical Officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After twenty-nine consecutive months at sea, his ship was the first American vessel to enter Shanghai Harbor with supplies for Americans stranded there during the war. When he returned to the U.S. he was assigned to serve as Medical Officer for the State of Arizona. Dr. Gelman was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1947. While still stationed in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Gelman married Gloria Jeanne Glicksman of South Bend, Indiana on February 10, 1946. Dr. Gelman was an orthopedic surgery resident with Dr. Arthur Steindler at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1947 to 1948. He had additional training in trauma and neurosurgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1948 to 1949. He returned to Iowa City to resume his orthopedic residency at Mercy Hospital from 1949-1950 where he continued his training with his teacher and mentor, Dr. Arthur Steindler. After completing his residency he joined Dr. Steindler in the practice of orthopedic surgery at Mercy Hospital. In 1958 Dr. Gelman and Dr. Gerald Howe founded the Steindler Orthopedic Clinic then at Towncrest Medical Center in Iowa City. Dr. Gelman served as Director from 1959 to 1984. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Towncrest Medical Properties from 1959 to 1984. He was Director of Towncrest X-Ray Department from 1960 to 1985. He was an active staff physician at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City from 1950 to 1984. Professionally, Dr. Gelman held the following memberships: lifetime member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; Latin American Orthopedic Society; MidCentral States Orthopedic Society; North American Spine Society; Pan American Orthopedic Society; lifetime member of the Iowa Medical Society; Iowa State Orthopedic Society; and the Johnson County Medical Society. He also was a past Diplomat of the Board of Orthopedic Surgery and served as a regent to the State of Iowa for the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Gelman was a member of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Mercy Hospital Liaison Committee from 1973-1978. Dr. Gelman had a keen interest in conservation. He served on the Johnson County Conservation Board from 1966-1970, acting as Vice Chairman in 1969 and Chairman in 1970. He received a commendation from the Board for his efforts on behalf of conservation in Johnson County, and his part in the founding of the F. W. Kent Park. Dr. Gelman’s involvement with the University of Iowa included the President’s Club; active member of the University of Iowa Foundation Board of Directors from 1973-1981 and thereafter lifetime Honorary Director; co-chair of the Iowa Hall Campaign National Committee (Natural History Museum); Cabinet Member of the Edwin Green Acquisition Campaign Committee for the University of Iowa Museum of Art; Museum of Art 25th Anniversary Campaign committee member; member of the University of Iowa Libraries Friends Advisory Board; and cabinet member of the Iowa Endowment 2000 Campaign. Dr. Gelman was a recipient of the University of Iowa Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1985. After his retirement from medical practice, Dr. Gelman had a second career as an artist. He had numerous exhibitions in Iowa and California of his oil paintings. His works are in private and institutional collections in both Iowa and California. Dr. Gelman’s family includes his wife, Gloria; his daughter, Emily Vermillion and her son Alexander Vermillion and his wife Dr. Annie Nguyen and their son Micah of Seattle, Washington; daughter, Regina Block and her husband Robert Block of Iowa City; and son, Thomas Gelman and his wife Rebecca Gelman and their children Samuel Gelman of New York City and Emma Gelman of Iowa City. Gloria and her family wish to express their deepest appreciation to the caregivers that graced Dr. Gelman with their loving care and attention. Services are pending at this time. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for his family and services.