Eugene Nutley M.D.

1927 - 2010

Eugene Nutley M.D.,

1927 - 2010

Eugene Nutley passed away August 27, 2010, in Redding, California. He was the loving husband of the late Mary Louise (Mary Lou) Nutley and father to four sons. Gene was born December 26, 1927 in Washington state, the youngest of three sons born to Victor and Mable Nutley of Seattle. He grew up and attended schools there, graduating from Roosevelt High School, the University of Washington and finally from the School of Medicine in 1954. He served in the Navy as a Flight Surgeon before completing his residency and settling in Redding in 1962. He was a practicing orthopedic surgeon from 1962 to 1989.

As a boy, Gene had a natural talent for singing and sang in church choirs or small groups, and he also played guitar. He spent much of his time outdoors, fishing, skiing, backpacking and camping in the mountains and forests of Washington and Oregon, and later, working as a lookout for the Forest Service.

In 1953 Gene married Mary Louise Zimmerman, who he had met at the Mountaineer's Mt. Baker Lodge in Washington. They dated exclusively for some years, but Gene didn't feel ready to propose until he was sure he would graduate from Medical school. After serving in the Navy and finishing his residency at the University of San Francisco, the couple decided to move to Redding because of the opportunities to be outdoors, the small community atmosphere and because the area was just beginning to develop to the point where medical specialists were setting up practices there. Gene entered into partnership with Drs. Eugene Padel and Michael Hamilton.

In his work as a surgeon, Gene was respected for the accuracy of his diagnoses and his willingness to be available at any hour of the day or night. He also was wary of new technology, preferring to use the tried and true methods he was accustomed to. The hospital staff even awarded him the "Knife, Fork and Spoon Award," a plaque with mismatched eating utensils from the hospital cafeteria, in honoring of his strict adherence to the basics.

Gene and Mary Lou returned many times to their beloved Pacific Northwest, vacationing at Lake Chelan or at the vacation home they owned for several years on Orcas Island. At the end of the 1980s, Gene decided to retire from private practice to spend more time with his wife, a decision he said was the best one he had ever made. Together, Gene and Mary Lou went on long trips to far-off destinations, going to many countries in Europe, traveling up the Yangtze River in China and even voyaging to the Falkland Islands and beyond to Antarctica. He also took over cooking duties at home, reading cookbooks for new methods and flavors, but usually creating his own dishes from scratch. He was a member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival at Ashland and the San Francisco Opera, attending productions for as long as he was able to do so. He was active with a local "Bridge Club," a group of good friends that he had socialized with for many years. He also stayed in touch with life long friends from Washington State.

Gene's wife Mary Lou passed away in 2004.
His survivors include his sons Dale, Leonard and Charles of California and Timothy of Oregon; three grandchildren and his beloved dog, Andy.

At their request there were no formal services, donations can be made to the Turtle Bay Museum, Riverview Playhouse or the Northern Valley Catholic Social Services.

Please sign the guestbook at http://obituaries.redding.com