Robert Lloyd Gullen

Gullen, Robert Lloyd MD
passed away peacefully on March 29, 2012. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 13, 1924 into a family of three sisters and parents Annie and Lloyd Gullen. He spent his youth in Farmington, Michigan and then started college at Michigan State. After his first year, he joined the Navy V-12 program, a WW II program designed to fast track students through college and into medical school. While in the Navy, he completed his pre-medical studies at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio and then attended the University of Michigan College of Medicine, graduating in 1949. When the Korean War started, Bob, then in his second year of family practice residency, joined the Air National Guard and was sent to Luke Air Force Base to head up their OB/Gyn Department. It was in Arizona that he and his family found a home - he in medicine and the family in Phoenix. He returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan to complete a residency in OB/Gyn and in the fall of 1954 joined Zeph Campbell in Phoenix. Bob and his family thrived in Arizona. He loved practicing medicine and being a part of the local medical community. He was considered a skilled obstetrician and gynecological surgeon. Perhaps influenced by a mother and three older sisters who were artists, Bob loved to develop creative approaches to surgical challenges. He also thoroughly enjoyed teaching. Considered to be a patient and supportive mentor, he frequently was named the Teacher of the Year by the residents at St. Joseph's and Good Samaritan (now Banner) hospitals. He made enough of an impression that some former residents who were practicing out of state would refer complex surgical problems to him. In 1968, Dick Zacher and Bob started Fifth Avenue Gynecologists and began a wonderful partnership that lasted until 2006. Bob and Dick essentially had a "handshake deal" type of practice. They always treated each other and their patients with the utmost respect and their practice thrived. After a time they added Max Lind, Alan Schapker and Chuck Clinch. Bob enjoyed the interpersonal aspects of his work as much as the technical parts. Providing personal and emotional support to patients who were dealing with stressful personal problems, was as rewarding to him as a successful delivery or surgery. When not working, Bob could be found on the golf course at Arizona Country Club or tending his roses and vegetables. Bob was a very loving and kind family man who touched many lives with his compassion, humility, brilliance, patience, loyalty and humor. He married Beverly Ann Smith in 1946 and after their divorce, he married Joan Koehler in 1975. He is survived by four sons and two stepsons: Dave (Betty), Jim, John (Kristy), Rick (Liz), Mark (Terri) Koehler and Ron (Roseanna) Koehler. He found great joy in his five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. The family invites friends, colleagues, and patients to a celebration of his life on
Saturday May 19, 2012 at 10am at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Banner Alzheimer's Institute, 901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ 85006, www.banneralz.org