Gerald D. "Jerry" Young Jr.

1928 - 2018

Gerald (Jerry) Devereaux Young (Jr), born on October 17, 1928 in Brock, NE, passed away peacefully in Littleton, CO on July 27, 2018. His life began in rural Nebraska, moving from town to town as his father, a civil engineer, planned and designed much of the area's infrastructure. Jerry graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1950 and from the UN College of Medicine in 1954. He earned a master's degree in public health from John Hopkins in 1959. Jerry passed his boards in Aerospace Medicine and Family Practice, completed his Residency in Aviation Medicine at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in (1959-61) and in 1963 was a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. His Air Force career (1954-77) inspired his lifelong love of aerospace medicine, creating opportunities for involvement at the crux of medical knowledge as to the impacts of flight and space travel on the human body. As a USAF flight surgeon, he helped develop Aircrew Standards while in the Surgeon General's office, worked directly with NASA on maintaining the health of astronauts in the Mercury and Gemini programs, and completed his AF career as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine and Deputy Surgeon in the Strategic Air Force Command Surgeon's office at Offutt Air Force Base. He retired at the rank of Colonel, a "full bird." While his career as an AF officer and doctor allowed Jerry and his family to travel, learn and explore the world in Asia and Europe, he wasn't quite done yet. He next took on the challenge of Occupational Medicine. As the Olin Chemical Regional Medical Director (Lake Charles, LA 1977-81), he was not only a plant physician and regional director. He also participated in three research projects which studied the impacts of various chemicals on people. This led to his development of specific health plans for the chemical plants. Jerry and family settled in Barrington, Illinois in 1981 when he became the Medical Director of ARCO Metals. He was responsible for the health of 10,000 employees in the Metals industry and designed three of the 16 medical facilities ARCO Metals utilized. Jerry completed his career as the Regional Medical Director of UNOCAL (1985-95). He was responsible for the occupational health care of UNOCAL employees in a 40 State area in the fields of oil, gas and chemicals. While living in Illinois, Jerry and wife Alita were supporters of the Field Museum, the Barrington Area Arts Council, enjoyed Tower Lake Progressive Dinners, Music in the Home concerts as well as Chicago's theater, opera and city events. Helping with bird counts in Lake County and enjoying trips to see the beautiful changing colors in the fall were also at the top of Jerry's list, especially if his children could participate. When not engaged in medicine and traveling the world, Jerry enjoyed hunting and played golf frequently! During college he played in dance bands across the state of Nebraska, with big band jazz always his favorite. He enjoyed ski vacations with his children and grand-children not to mention trout and salmon fishing in many locales. After the death Alita, his wife of 65 years, in 2017 he moved to Colorado to be near family. Jerry is survived by his son, David (Naomi) Young, Philadelphia, PA, his three daughters, Lucinda Young, Olympia, WA, Kristin (Dennis) Sesko, Littleton, CO, and Karen (Mitsuhiro) Young Iwamoto, San Diego, CA; and his beloved grandchildren Alexis Young, Scott and Kurt Sesko, and Leena Iwamoto. Services for Gerald will be held privately. Memorials in Gerald's name may be made to: Omaha Home for Boys, 4343 N 52nd St, Omaha, NE 68104, www.omahahomeforboys.org