Located at the front entrance to the Surprise Valley Community Hospital is a citizen memorial plaque that reads:
| JACK CLINTON GILBERT M.D. 1919-1980 Doctor Gilbert served the Surprise Valley area for 25 years. His skills as a physician, enthusiasm for his work, uncommon dedication and devotion to his many patients made him a legend. His motto, "The patient comes first", allowed him to turn no one away who was seeking medical care. This caused him to routinely keep his private office open until the early morning hours, seeing as many as 80 patients per day. His patients thought that "Doctor" would always be there when they needed him. His early death on Christmas Day 1980 was a tragic loss for all who loved him. Individuals with Dr. Gilbert's humanity are very precious and are to be treasured. He did not profit from his practice of medicine as much as those he served. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold."
Proverbs 22:1
|
I located an obituary of Dr. Gilbert from FindAGrave.com here and it reads:
Dr. Jack Clinton Gilbert, 61, who practiced medicine in this rural community for 25 years, died Christmas day following a lengthy illness.
Dr. Clinton came to Cedarville in 1955 after practicing for several years in Sierra Madre, Calif. He was born Oct. 27, 1919, in Manhattan, Kansas.
Dr. Gilbert was a graduate of the University of Southern California and the Hahnemann Medical College in Pennsylvania. Dr. Gilbert did his intern work at Seaside Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, Calif. and Los Angeles County General Hospital.
He accepted a position at the Modoc County Medical Center in 1955. Dr. Gilbert had said he wanted to open a practice in a small town so he would have some time to devote to research.
Dr. Gilbert was one of three finalists for the Frederick K. M. Plessner Memorial Award, which goes to a doctor who best personifies the practice and ethics of a rural doctor.
Dr. Gilbert, who was greatly admired in Modoc and Lake counties because of his medical practice, was honored as the grand marshal in the Modoc District Fair Parade held in Cedarville last year.
He is survived by the widow, Patricia Joan Gilbert, Cedarville; two sons, Bruce Gilbert, Provo, UT; and James Gilbert, Ellensburg, WA; four daughters, Jackie Entrekin, Reno, Robin Kramer, Portland, Leslie Thatcher, San Mateo, and Kathy Cook, Houston; twin sisters, Mary Frances Cass and Marion Bell Hughes, both of southern California; four grandsons; and five granddaughters.