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Sunday's Obituary: Dr. G. Gary Kirchner

Dr. G. Gary Kirchner, 79, of Lancaster, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, August 2, 2013 at the Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late George W. and Betty (Conn) Kirchner. He was married 54 years on June 13 to Betsy (Shirk) Kirchner.

Gary graduated in 1951 from Lancaster Catholic High School, in 1955 with a B.S. from Franklin & Marshall College, and in 1959 with a Doctor of Medicine from Hahnemann University, Philadelphia. He served his internship at Lancaster General Hospital from 1959-60, and his residency at the Mayo Clinic in surgery from 1960-64. During the Vietnam War he served as Lieutenant Commander with the US Navy in the Medical Corps and as a U.S.S. Forrestal Medical Officer at the time of the Forrestal disaster.

He began private practice in General Surgery and joined L.G.H. in 1964, where he was Chairman of the Department of Surgery from 1986-1989. He retired from surgical practice in 1998. He served on the board of the Lancaster Health Alliance from 1989-97, the L.G.H. Foundation from 1989-97, the Visiting Nurse Board from 1989-95, and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce from 1990-92. From 2004-07, he was elected to serve as Lancaster County Coroner. He was also a member of the Lancaster Pirates Club, Groundhog Lodge of Quarryville, and served as a president of the Lancaster Rotary Club where he had been a member since 1968.

Surviving in addition to his wife are three children, Mark W., married to Samia (Rab) Kirchner of Lancaster, Susan C. Kirchner of Mountville, and Dr. John S., married to Kelli (Anderson) Kirchner of Birmingham, AL; two grandchildren, Maya and Colton Kirchner; and a brother, David, married to Sharon Kirchner of Millersville.

He attended Bangor Episcopal Church. A private Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Golden Retriever Rescue Alliance, PO Box 161792, Fort Worth, TX 76161 or to Bangor Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 2099 Main St., Narvon, PA 17555.

To send the family online condolences visit us at www.groffeckenroth.com. Arrangements by Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.

Source: Lancaster Newspapers, 5 August 2013.

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