Rex Allen Gish – Lieutenant, United States Navy

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From a contemporary press report:

Rex Allen Gish, M.D., a retired Salinas physician, died Friday at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, California. He was 83.

Doctor Gish was born September 19, 1917, in Lawrence, Kansas, and lived in Monterey County for 32 years.

Dr. Gish graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1942. He served in the Navy during World War II as a combat medical officer in the Pacific. He retired from anesthesiology in 1974 and practiced general medicine in Salinas until 1983.

He was a diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology and a retired member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Monterey County Medical Society.

An avid golfer, Dr. Gish was a member of Corral De Tierra Country Club for 30 years.

He is survived by his wife, Colette; three sons, Michael Gish of Palo Alto, Max Gish of Fresno and Kiffin Gish of the Netherlands; four daughters, Bonnie Palacios of Floydada, Texas, Margaret Miller of Clovis, Martine Scott of
Fairfax, Virginia, and Kathleen James of San Diego; a sister, Faye Jean Sturm of Derby, Kansas; nine grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

At his request no services will be held. Inurement will be at Arlington National Cemetery.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, Suite 22, 220 Country Club Gate, Pacific Grove 93950; or to the donor's favorite charity.

On April 19th 2001 my father's ashes were put to rest at the Arlington Cemetery during an honorable ceremony. The following excerpt from my mother's email describes the occasion quite well:

“Well, Daddy is finally in his resting place in Arlington. I think he would have liked the military ceremony they had for him. To tell you the truth, I was very surprised with the elaborate ceremony that went with the inurement. At first we
were greeted by an official who was waiting for us. He took Daddy's remains and put them in his car. He led us into the Administration office where I, as the widow, had to sign the papers. An Honor Guard came in with a lady representing the “Navy Families” who gave me her condolences. Then the Chaplain came. He was from Quebec and spoke French to me. He asked about Daddy in order to say a few appropriate words about him. He was very nice.

Next, the cemetery representative directed us to the ceremony location. I did not expect to see a caisson pulled by 4 horses, and led by 2 horses mounted by officers, and a full Navy Band consisting of at least 30 people. Daddy's remains, in a velvet bag, were placed in a mock casket, covered by an American flag. The three of us walked behind the caisson while the band played the Navy Hymn and other inspirational music. We arrived at the courtyard behind the Columbarium, where we were seated. The eight Honor Guards unfolded the flag and held it over the remains. The Chaplain said a few words, followed by a 21 gun salute. Then the bugler played “Taps.” After that, the Honor Guards finished folding the flag into a triangle and after a final salute, they gave it to the Chaplain who presented it to me. Then we walked to Daddy's niche, and they had me place his remains inside. I also put some red roses inside with the ashes. The Chaplain said a final prayer, and they closed the niche with a temporary marker. They said that a permanent marker engraved with Daddy's name will be put up in about three months. It was a very impressive ceremony.

Arlington is a beautiful place and since it is spring time the grounds were full of flowers (including tulips and pansies) and there were many pink and white blossoms on the trees. We were so lucky that the weather was nice.”

COURTESY OF KIFFEN GISH

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