John F. Gile '16, Life Trustee, Dies in Hanover at Age of 61

JOHN FOWLER GILE '16, Life Trustee of the College, died on January 29 at the Convalescent Unit of Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover. Although he had been in failing health for many years, his death came as a shock to the community, for his greeting had remained so hearty, and his cheerfulness so buoyant, to the very end.

"J" was born in Tewksbury, Mass., July 5, 1893 the son of Vesta Grace Fowler and John Martin Gile '87, surgeon, Dean of the Dartmouth Medical School and Trustee of the College. He attended the Hanover schools and as a boy drove with his father throughout the North Country on his father's visits to patients. Often when his father operated under the most primitive conditions "J" would boil the water, prepare the bandages and hold the oil lamps. Seldom has a boy followed so closely in a father's footsteps.

After finishing his preparation at Phillips Andover Academy, "J" entered Dartmouth with the Class of 1916. He was a member of K.K.K., A.K.K. and Sphinx and was assistant manager of football. He served the class as treasurer, 1916-21, and as class agent, 1917-19. He took his two years of pre-medical work at Dartmouth and received his M.D. from Harvard in 1920. After interning at Worcester City Hospital he returned to Hanover to take up again his intimate and abiding interest in everything which had to do with the College, the town and the state.

Then, too, began his long connection with the Medical School, first as Instructor in Physical Diagnosis in 1925, then as Professor of Clinical Surgery from 1939 to '54, and as emeritus professor from 1954 to his death. In 1937 he was made a Life Trustee of the College and in that year received an honorary degree of A.M.

During these years, until forced to retire because of ill health, "J" practiced surgery at the Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover and throughout the state. He and his brotherin-law, Dr. John P. Bowler '15 founded the group medical practice which grew into the Hitchcock Clinic, now one of the outstanding clinics in the country, and he watched the small cottage hospital across the street grow into one of the largest and most modern hospitals in the area.

"J" loved nature and her ways. Each year almost without exception he made a pilgrimage to the Canadian salmon rivers. He was an ardent hunter and was well known among woodsmen on both sides of the border, for he could find his way through woods with the uncanny skill of an Indian.

He was a member of many professional societies, the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, New England Cancer Society and N. H. Surgical Club. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and was formerly a trustee of the Dartmouth Savings Bank and the Church of Christ.

On June 22, 1922 "J" was married to Nettie Edmunds who survives him with their children: John F. Jr. '45, Amos W. '51, Mrs. Warren H. Chivers ('38) and Mrs. Charles E. Holt ('45). He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. John P. Bowler and Mrs. Dorothy Brackett, both of Hanover. His brother Archie B. Gile '17 died on September 26.

"J" was so very much an integral part of Hanover, of Dartmouth College, of the Class of 1916, that it would be impossible to estimate the multitude of friends who share in this great loss.

JOHN FOWLER GILE '16