Dr. Robert Harvey Ogden

Dr. Robert
Harvey Ogden, MD
GASTONIA -- Dr. Ogden, well known and loved Obstetrician and Gynecologist, died at his home, December 7, 2009 after an extended illness. He was a son of the late Monroe G. and Madie Blount Ogden.
A native of Macon, Georgia, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mercer University where he was President of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, played trumpet and French horn in the band and was active in ROTC in high school and college. He graduated first in his class at the Medical College of Georgia, receiving a Doctor of Medicine degree. He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He served in the US Army, including one year in Vietnam. There he volunteered to give medical aid to local Vietnamese orphans and organized relief efforts from his home state of Georgia. After his Army tenure, he finished his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Macon General Hospital. He was Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 1969 he came to Gastonia and joined the practice of Dr. Robert Groves and Dr. Joel Conner, Gaston Gynecology and Obstetrics. He delivered thousands of babies with great skill and compassion. He was a highly respected surgeon and he loved both the science and the humanity of medicine. He cared deeply about his patients and was always ready to listen. He loved music and donated instruments to the Ashbrook High School Band to help continue a love of music for students for many years to come. Robert Ogden deeply loved his family. He spoke often of his pride and love for his wife, children, grandchildren and family. His circle of friends included many who remained loyal to him until the end. This man loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He was an avid bird hunter and enjoyed competitive trap shooting, as well as snow skiing and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed fishing and dancing. He was industrious; he could build or fix anything he set his mind to. He was a very competent and careful pilot for many years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. He was a member of the Gaston County Medical Society, North Carolina Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, American Medical Association, Fellow of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amateur Trapshooting Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Gaston Shaggers.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by first wife, Paula Ogden and aunt, Frances Augusta Ogden.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 22 years, Deborah Lewis Ogden; daughters, Sarah Ogden of the home, Laurie Weddington and husband Keith of Charlotte, NC; sons, Robert S. Ogden, DDS and wife Allison of Salisbury, NC, Ken Ogden and wife Natalie of Monroe, NC; grandchildren, Kate, Ellen and Anna Weddington, Pierce and Michael Ogden and Sam and Caroline Ogden, sisters, Sue Ballard and husband Michael, Dot Brown and husband Phil of Macon, GA, Katherine Sellers and husband Bill of Seattle, WA and Mary Ogden Lasley of Ashland, OR; brothers, Dr. William Ogden and wife Lou of Montreat, NC, Ron Ogden and wife Pat of Plano, TX, John Ogden and wife Louise of Macon, GA; many loving nieces and nephews, special friends; and caregivers, Rita Jones and husband Johnny.
A special thank you to Pauline Zimmerman and Lisa Bradshaw of Gaston Hospice for their loving care, and a very special thank you to Rita and Johnny Jones for their tireless devotion and selfless love.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors with Rev. Carl Synan officiating. Military Honors will be rendered by the WWII Last Man Club of Gaston County. Burial will be private. Dr. Richard Belton, Dr. Joel Conner, Johnny Jones, Ted Kennedy, Ralph Ledford, Richard 'Skip' McPhail, Dr. Henry Thomason and Dr. William Abernathy will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Ashbrook High School Band Boosters, 2222 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Condolences may be sent online at www.mcleanfuneral.com.
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Dr. Ogden.