Gary Overturf

Gary Don Overturf

Gary Don Overturf, M.D., born November 27, 1943, in Santa Ana, CA, died January 9, 2026, at the age of 82 in Albuquerque, NM.

Gary grew up in Silver City, New Mexico, where he developed the curiosity, discipline, and love of learning that shaped his life's work. He graduated from Silver High School in 1962 and from Western New Mexico University in 1965, where he was valedictorian and graduated magna cum laude. He went on to earn his medical degree in 1969 from the second graduating class of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

A nationally respected pediatric infectious disease physician, educator, and researcher, Dr. Overturf devoted nearly five decades to advancing child health and medical education. He served on the faculties of the University of Southern California, UCLA, and the University of New Mexico, ultimately retiring as Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Pathology at UNM. His career included leadership roles in hospital medicine, infectious disease services, and national advisory committees, including service with the American Academy of Pediatrics and as chair of the FDA Vaccine and Related Biologics Advisory Committee. He authored more than 120 peer-reviewed articles and was widely recognized for his clinical expertise, teaching excellence, and humane approach to medicine.

Gary was also deeply devoted to family, music, cycling, and lifelong learning. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol Overturf; daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Mike Gurnee of Portland, Oregon; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Nathaniel and Lauren Gurnee of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and granddaughter, Rebecca Gurnee of Fountain Valley, California. He is also survived by sisters, Karen Hatler of Sedona, Arizona, Kathie Wagner of Topeka, Kansas, and Susan Ingraham of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Gary will be remembered for his intellect, integrity, generosity, his love of nature and music, and wit, and for the countless lives he touched as a physician, mentor, and teacher.