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Carl Gessert, Ph.D. |
Dr. Gessert died Dec. 30 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Omaha after a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 92.
Dr. Gessert served on the UNMC faculty from 1962 to 1991. He was professor of physiology from 1962-1967 and professor of pharmacology from 1967-1991. From 1967-1969, he served as acting chairman of pharmacology. Before coming to UNMC, Dr. Gessert served on the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Wisconsin.
“Carl was one of the building blocks in the development of the medical center to its current stature,” said Terry Hexum, Ph.D., UNMC professor emeritus in pharmacology. “It was people like Carl who helped define the character of the UNMC faculty as it is today.
“When I first arrived at UNMC, Carl was instrumental in making me feel comfortable and helping me understand my role as a faculty member. He provided mentoring throughout his career at UNMC. He was an important and highly regarded faculty member who was responsible for the medical education of many students, regardless of their career programs — from medicine to pharmacy to allied health to nursing.”
A native of St. Louis, Dr. Gessert earned his undergraduate degree from Washington University in 1949 and his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin.
He was called to military service in 1943 and his U.S. Army unit supported the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded by mortar fire and was given the Purple Heart by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.
“He loved working at UNMC,” said Virginia (Ginnie) Gessert, his wife of 57 years. “He always strived to teach people to go beyond what they did.”
She said her husband enjoyed making stoneware pottery, blowing glass, listening to classical music, and attending symphony concerts, plays, and art shows. She said he played the piano, by ear, all of his life and passed his love of music on to his two sons, Steven and John, and his two granddaughters.
The family requests that memorials go to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support the Parkinson’s Disease Basic Science Research Fund.
Carl was a true gentleman. He was a quiet person, but very approachable. He gave generously of his time and wisdom to young faculty (like myself) who were starting out at UNMC.