Birth date: Jul 7, 1929 Death date: Aug 30, 2014
Dr. Gilbert E. Kitching, a much loved and respected physician in San Bernardino and a retired Air Force Colonel, passed away August 30, 2014 at his home after an extended illness. He was born July 7, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York. Read Obituary
My sincerest condolences. I worked with Doctor Kitchings at Brooks Air Force Base, in San Antonio during the summer when I was home from college. Both Doctor Kitchings and Mrs. Kitchings were very kind to me, and I still have a business calculator they gave me to help me succeed in pursuing my business degree in college. Such wonderful people. I pray Dr. Kitchings rest in Eternal peace.
Remember the friendliness and kindness Uncle Gil and Aunt Joanne always extended to my Mother Josephine, Joanne's sister,and her family, God Bless!
David Stanley Corcoran III
This is from an Air Force acquaintance from the early 70"s. I was fortunate to have worked with Gil at Vandenberg AFB. He was my superior and had to put up with my antics. I remember him as a dedicated compassionate physician. One special memory is going to the Kitching house on New Years day for Bloody Marys. We have kept in touch over the intervening years and I will miss his voice and letters. Especially about the oatmeal and exercise. May he rest in peace. Dr & Mrs Charles Koenig
I really like reading all the letters Gil ("Gramps," for me) sent over the years. He encouraged me to continue progressing in my visual art; so much so in fact, that he ordered multiple lecture DVDs on Michaelangelo and other art-related topics. We had many warm telephone conversations (and letters) expressing delight in learning about art.
For a few years, Gramps and I collected state quarters, sending them to each other as a gallant accomplishment. He sent me art-related articles from the Wall Street Journal. He also gave advice on my developing art skills, and explained what kind of camera I needed to take good pictures of my art. We also compared notes on growing tomatoes, which we both liked to do. He found solace in hearing about my biological father's religious faith, while battling lung cancer. Gramps wrote, "Physicians are acutely aware of [the fact that they don't know how long they will live], and generally ask for God's help over and over again; I know I have." I hope that in his last breaths, Gramps found peace in asking to be released from suffering.
I got to learn about Gramps's childhood in upstate New York. He got to ski to grade school in the winter months, which I found a novelty. Gramps told me that, when one of his sons brought a potential girlfriend home, Gramps, being a retired army gynocologist, would walk the new girl friend to the living room where, on the hearth sat anitque speculums. He'd assess the workability of each relationship based on the girl friend's reaction recognizing the speculums.
Gramps strengthened my hope that I would someday have a loving relationship with my biological father. He wrote, "I had no clear idea of how painful that your separation from your father was to you. It's my belief that God loves us all, even when we can't understand it when we suffer. I also have faith that we will all be able to meet again in heaven; tell your dad that when that happens, you will need a big hug and a kiss from him! Perhaps a leap of faith for you, but a good one."
I'm sorry Gramps suffered from throat cancer. He was always tough, and never complained, as far as I know. It can't have been easy, struggling to breathe. I envision him in a much better place. I will miss him very much. I'm going to bring the letters he sent to me to the memorial. He is already missed and I miss the inspiration he found when he saw my art.
I love you, Gramps!
Megan
