Edward Clark Gillespie

Dr. Edward Clark Gillespie, age 88, died February 3, 2011. A resident of Aiken, S.C. for the past five years and a member of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church. Dr. Gillespie is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Susan Gillespie, daughter, Jann Scott (Robert) of Tulsa, Okla., Edward Clark Gillespie Jr., Jay Gillespie (Cynthia) of Fayetteville, Ark.; four grandchildren; Tiffani Anderson, Amanda Caperton, Andrew Gillespie, and Laura Bowman and six great-grandchildren. Dr. Gillespie was born in North Bay, Ontario, Canada. He attended McGill University in Montreal where he received his medical degree. He went on to an internship in Ob/Gyn at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and finished his training as chief resident, Ob/Gun, at Herman Kiefer Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. After more than 40 years of private practice and teaching in Little Rock, Ark., he retired but continued to lecture and write. He was a member of the King's Own Royal Cameron Highland Regiment, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp. where he received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the Canadian Victory Medal. Among many of his honors, are Life Fellow, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Retired Life Fellow, The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London, England, Clinical Professor of Community Medicine at The University of Arkansas School of Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark., Life Member, Emeritus Clinical Staff, St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, Little Rock, Ark. Dr. Gillespie was not only a member of the International Menopause Society, but also a founding member of The North American Menopausal Society and a founding member of The Jacob's Institute of Women's Health, Washington, D.C. Dr. Gillespie was the author of several self-help books for women, one of which was translated and printed in several languages. He wrote weekly columns on senior health issues for numerous news publications as well as contributing research papers and articles for many medical journals. He was a member of the Author's Guild and The Author's League of America. As an avid sailor, Dr. Gillespie was a member of The Grand Maumelle Sailing Club in Little Rock, Ark. and serves as one of its first Commodores. He was instrumental in creating the current physical facilities of the club, as well as securing the 1968 Y-Flyer National Championship Races that was hosted by The Grand Maumelle Sailing Club. Sailing was only one of his many passions, he was also an accomplished artist, having held one-man shows of his paintings on occasion's. His creativity allowed him to recapture many of his travel memories on canvas in oils. As a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, Dr. Gillespie gave much of his time and talent. He was a founding member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Little Rock, Ark. and later an active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock, Ark. After his move to St. Simons Island, Ga., he continued to be an active parishioner at Christ Church Frederica, having served in many capacities and on various committees. Throughout his career, he felt privileged to serve the many women who entrusted their care to him. His unceasing desire for the best of health and well being for all, his loving sense of humor, his unique approach to life, his many surprising talents and his gallant sense of style, will be greatly missed by his family and friends and those whose lives he touched. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 19th, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Okla. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 26th at Christ Church Frederica, St. Simons Island, Ga. Memorial contributions may be directed to The American Cancer Society, (www.cancer.org) or to Christ Church Frederica, 6329 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island, Ga. 31522. Please visit the online guest register at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com. Shellhouse - Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd., Aiken, S.C.