Mr. Gilbert Edward Kitching 's Obituary
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. As a young man, he distinguished himself by becoming an Eagle Scout. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952 at the California Institute of Technology, and a Medical Degree at the University of Southern California in 1956. Dr. Kitching completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Tripler U.S. Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Kitching was often recognized for his professional excellence, receiving many awards and medals including the Legion of Merit, Physicians Recognition Award (from the American Medical Association), and numerous Meritorious Service Medals. He was a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Diplomate Member of the Pan American Medical Association.
In 1955, Dr. Kitching married the love of his life, Joane Chatfield Denby. They had four sons, Alfred, Gilbert, Kenneth, and Charles. Dr. Kitching was preceded in death by his beloved son Kenneth in 2013.
Dr. Kitching held many leadership roles in the Air Force. Between 1965 and 1970, he was Chief of OB/GYN and Chief of Hospital Services at USAF Hospital Vandenberg in California. During his career, he also was Chief OB/GYN at USAF Base Hospitals in Idaho and Texas, as well as in the Philippines and Germany, and Commander of Air Force Hospitals in Illinois and Florida.
Between 1981 and 1983, Dr. Kitching was Team Chief for the Surgeon General Inspection Team. He then was appointed Deputy Director, Professional Services, and Vice Commander in the Office of the Surgeon General, a position he held from 1983 to 1985, until his retirement from the Air Force.
Dr. Kitching subsequently engaged in the private practice of medicine in Corona, California, and San Bernardino, retiring from the San Bernardino Women’s Specialty Medical Group in 1996.
After retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Kitching made frequent trips to Hawaii, where they had lived for four years. Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Kitching enjoyed gardening, astronomy, stamp and coin collecting, electronics, researching and documenting his family history, and keeping up with national and world affairs.
Besides his wife and three sons, Dr. Kitching is survived by four grandchildren: Kenneth Kitching and Shauna Kitching (children of Kenneth) and Megan Kennedy and Jessica Kennedy-Schlicher (children of Alfred), and numerous nieces and nephews.
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