UNION ---Dr. Albert H. Gelderman M.D. was born July 15, 1935 in Tucson AZ to Dr. Frederick and Gertrude Gelderman. He grew up in Arizona and went to University of Arizona for undergraduate school. He attended Medical School at Johns Hopkins University and later his residency at Yale. He then went to work at the National Institute of Health and did revolutionary work in RNA research. He decided to join U.S. Public Health Service in 1962. Later he sought to be stationed in Union, WV to deliver good healthcare in a rural setting. He was awarded doctor of the year by the USPHS and the AMA due to his dedication and tireless work. After the founding of the Monroe Health Center, the team found success when Monroe country went from 3rd to the bottom in infant mortality to 3rd from the top. When he retired as a lieutenant commander from U.S. Public Health Service in 1985, he opened his own practice so he could continue his mission. He retired in 2010 at age 75. He battled Parkinson's disease in his retirement. He passed away in his house Tuesday 3/21/2017.
He traveled throughout his life including as the Key Note speaker for the International Cancer Congress in Tokyo, Japan and a physician liaison in Russia. His personal travel included Turkey, Europe, South America and across the United States including Alaska. His favorite place was the upper tributaries of the Amazon River. He was an extensive reader, learner and teacher.
He is survived by his wife Jan Gelderman, son Richard Gelderman, daughter Janna Gelderman-Moffett and 3 grandchildren Alexander, Dylan and Zizie as well as his 2 border collie dogs, Pollux and Castor and 2 cats named Friend and J-cat.
In place of a memorial, he hoped that people will donate to their local public library or WV public radio in memory of him.