Obituary of John Gaul

Dr. John Stuart Gaul, Jr. Dr. Gaul was born October 28, 1922 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC, son of the late] Dr. John S. and Katherine S. Gaul Sr. Dr. Gaul was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Broaddus Gaul in 1968 and his second wife, Rose Marie Crumley Gaul in 2007. He is survived by his brother, Rufus Wharton Gaul and wife Ruth of Murrells Inlet, SC; children Emily Macon Gaul of Evanston, IL, John Stuart Gaul III and wife, Alicia of Charlotte; William Broaddus Gaul and wife, Dremma of Fincastle, VA; grandchildren, Ann Marie Gaul, John Stuart Gaul IV, Piper Katherine Gaul, and William Broaddus Gaul II as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children. Dr. Gaul was as a caring physician, dedicated teacher, loving husband, father and grandfather, and the quintessential southern gentleman. A 1940 graduate of Central High School in Charlotte, Dr. Gaul completed his undergraduate degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. Medical school at Chapel Hill and Temple University in Philadelphia was followed by a tour in the US Navy aboard the USS Fresno in the North Atlantic. His love of orthopedic surgery began during his residency in surgery at the University of Virginia and the Alfred DuPont Institute in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1953 Dr. Gaul and his new bride, Ann, moved to Charlotte where he joined his father?s orthopedic surgery practice. Drs. Gaul and Gaul welcomed brother Wharton five years later forming the Gaul Orthopedic Group. For the next 41 years, he devoted his life to the practice of orthopedic and hand surgery. Steadfast and unfaltering dedication to his patients was his hallmark whether treating children with Polio in rural mountain communities or performing surgery for patients with severe industrial hand injuries from Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. A devoted teacher in the field of Orthopedics, Dr. Gaul relished the opportunity to work with colleagues to train surgical residents, demonstrated by his role in organizing the residency training program and initiating the Hand Clinic at Charlotte Memorial Hospital (now Carolinas Medical Center). As Chief of the section of orthopedics from 1967-1976 the program attained national respect and stature through his hard work and dedication. Many physicians who completed their training during these years will not forget Dr. Gaul?s indefatigable zeal and patience during all hours of the day and night while performing and teaching emergency hand surgery. An active member of many orthopedic and hand surgery organizations, Dr. Gaul authored numerous articles on hand trauma and nerve repair. He lectured both home and abroad describing innovative techniques in surgery, many of which are still used today. The perfect southern gentleman, Dr. Gaul also devoted time to community interests. He served as board president of the Charlotte Symphony in 1962, president of the Charlotte Arts Fund (now Charlotte Arts & Science Council) and was a lifelong member of St. Martin?s Episcopal Church. After retirement, Dr. Gaul pursued elusive trout in the North Carolina mountains with the same dogged determination he applied to his professional career. He devoted many hours to his model railroad hobby, enjoyed playing tennis at the Charlotte Country Club, and rooted for the UNC Tar Heels. Dr. Gaul especially loved spending time with Rose Marie and his special group of lifelong, loving friends. Dr. Gaul?s family, friends and colleagues will miss his generous spirit, kindly manner, and most of all, his distinct impish smile. The memorial service for Dr. Gaul will be at St. Martin?s Episcopal Church 11:00 a.m. Saturday December 19. The family will receive friends at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service Friday, December 18 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Martin?s Episcopal Church, 1510 East Seventh St., Charlotte NC 28204 or Aldersgate, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte NC 28205.