John Herman Gauger

Dr. John Herman Gauger "Jack"

With deep regret and heavy hearts, the Gauger family is announcing that Dr. John Herman Gauger "Jack" passed away Saturday Morning June 2, 2018 at 2am in Sacramento, California at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Kurt, Lisa Handeland (Marty), Kevin (Teri), Craig (Kate), Julie (Jim Robb), Gayle, Cindy Olsen (Tom), and Greg Loos (Stephanie); grandchildren, Ian Gauger, Grady Gauger, Matt, Ellie and Sarah Gauger, Corey and Kailey Robb, Erika Geyer (Jared), Lexie, Riley and Claire Loos; great-grandchildren, Trey Smith, Holland and Heidi Geyer. "Jack" is preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Tripeny Gauger; and daughter, Maria Therese Gauger.

Jack was born in Long Beach, California on May 3, 1929. He attended Poly High School in Long Beach only to leave at the end of his junior year 1946, to join the United States Marine Corp. at San Diego Recruitment Depot. He served from 1946-1948 at the Inyokern Marine Corp. base in a Security Detail. From 1948-1949, he was a Drill Instructor at Camp Pendleton CA. "Jack" left the Corp. and attended Long Beach City College for Reserve studies. In 1950 he was recalled to Inchon, Korea then on to the Chosin Reservoir, serving with the 1st Battalion/5th Regiment Marines Weapons. Brutal fighting ensued and the US X Corp became surrounded by Chinese forces only to fight their way out on a one road escape route with temperatures dropping below -35F. "The Chosin Few", as they became known, would forever hold that catastrophic bond. After being medevac'd out of the reservoir for extreme frostbite he was treated in Japan on Dec. 6th, 1950 and transferred to Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii before being sent back to the States. Upon his return he worked and attended Long Beach City College to attain his GED and fulfill prerequisites for UCLA. While studying at UCLA on January 28th, 1956 Jack married Helen Ann Tripeny.After attaining pre-med requirements he was accepted into UC San Francisco's Medical School.From 1958-1963 he pursued his Internship and Residency at Harbor General UCLA in Torrance California. His OB GYN practice started in Belmont Shore with Dr. McCallum and Dr. Mahannah, and continued on with Dr. Bob Mahannah in the pursuing years. Dr. Gauger held various staffing positions at St. Mary's Hospital and Memorial Hospital in Long Beach throughout his medical career. He also became very involved in the Boy Scouts of America organization.

Jack later married Janet Rowe Loos on February 14th, 1975. The countless babies he delivered over the years, patients he helped all while supporting the family through thick and thin, will always stand in monumental existence and remembrance. To say John Herman Gauger lived a full life would be an understatement to say the least. He was an extraordinary human being with nothing but the well-being of his family at the forefront of all his actions. Rarely thinking of self or disclosing anything that burdened him, be it physical or emotional, he forever moved forward.

Services will be held on June 30th, 2018 at 9:30am at Westminster Memorial Park (In main Chapel), 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683. 714-893-2421. A Celebration of Life will follow in Long Beach. Please sign the guest book at www.presstelegram.com/obits