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Ralph Cutler Obituary
1932 - 2020
Ralph "Garr" Cutler was born on July 27th, 1932 in Salt Lake City, UT to Virginia Farrer Cutler. He had an older brother, Robert, and a loving extended family that helped the young trio after the death of Garr's father shortly before his birth. Garr's mother pursued M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Home Economics at Stanford and Cornell University, before returning to Salt Lake City. It was there that Garr forged many lifelong friendships and pursued his own higher education.
Garr earned a B.A. (1953) and an M.D. (1960) from University of Utah. He also served a mission in Austria. A medical internship followed in Philadelphia in 1961. He served with the Air Force in San Antonio, TX for two years in the Aerospace Medicine Program. It was during this time that his brother Robert passed away despite Garr's late intervention. His brother Bob's death was a heartbreaking event, especially as he left a wife and five children behind. A letter of condolence from Joan Edith Bolin changed Garr's destiny, as the two fell in love, and married in 1963.
He and Joanie moved to Ann Arbor, MI for his residency, completed in 1966. Further study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery followed with a specialty residency in St Louis, MO from '66 to '68. The family moved to Eugene, OR in 1968, where Garr began his private practice in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Garr and Joanie had three children between 1965-70. Eugene was to be a wonderful choice on a professional and a personal level.
As the first plastic surgeon to practice in Eugene, Garr worked from 1968 to 2006 in private practice as well as at Sacred Heart Hospital. He taught at the OHSU Medical School in Portland, OR for several years after first arriving in Eugene. As a surgeon, he treated burn victims, reattached fingers, removed cancers, and reconstructed accident victims. Lives were saved on occasion, and many grateful patients and colleagues celebrated Garr's work. He especially enjoyed microsurgery on fingers and hands. In the 1990s, he did pro-bono surgery in Mexico and Romania with Northwest Medical Teams International, and later, in retirement, for Volunteers in Medicine in Eugene. In 2010, he set up a yearly endowment for University of Utah graduate students for contributions in ecological, sociological or legal matters related to energy.
Garr was loved by many for his engaging personality and for the genuine interest he showed to others. He will be remembered for his roaring laugh, quirky sense of humor and love of life. He loved baking bread, relished fresh corn on the cob and shared his signature avocado ice cream with unsuspecting guests. He had many talents and interests including woodcarving, painting, photography, glassblowing, gardening and travel. He took many classes at the University of Oregon in Sciences and Arts, and enthusiastically followed the latest scientific research in astronomy, genetics, geology, and many other fields. He was an optimist and believed in our capacity to solve problems and make the world a better place. He is survived by his three children and four grandchildren.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Cutler
Scott Nicholson
February 17, 2025
This gentleman saved the quality of my life.
I will never forget him.
Mark Bodily
September 12, 2024
I looked up a fellow physician and friend today and was deeply saddened to read of his passing. I consider Garr one of the greatest persons I have ever known. He was of the highest integrity, character, and dedication. His optimism was contagious yet his empathy for others was of the highest order. And his skills were depended on by many, often in off hours when others were home.
Barbara Howard
February 29, 2024
I was in a house fire in October of 1968 and in 1969 Dr Cutler removed the scars on my hands and used skin from my hips to make the back of my hands look normal. I´m so grateful to him for his work because most people can´t tell that anything ever happened.
Richard Walker
March 1, 2022
Garr saw the best in other people. Having both lived in Vienna and with Joan having studied in Salzburg, we shared a common interest in Austrian Culture. Always a delight to dine with them! But we also conversed a great deal about deity and the eternities. I hope to see Joan and Garr in a better world.
Tiana G. Tozer
June 22, 2020
On May 14, 1988, I was run over by an intoxicated driver, Dr. Cutler was brought in by Dr. Rockey as my plastic surgeon. I was in ICU for a month and three days and in the hospital for three months right after the crash. For the next two years, I would see Dr. Cutler and his staff more than I saw my professors. He was a kind, gentle soul, with a soft voice that never failed to soothe. When he spoke to me before surgery in the hallway of the OR he wore his surgerical hat like a floppy beret. I will forever be grateful to him for being part of the team that saved my life and for his instance on saving my leg (I would not have made a good amputee as I had a left hip fracture so both my legs were damaged). Together we went through some 25 surgeries and more than 70 procedures. When I came back for my junior year there was no accessible bathroom in his office so he remodeled it so I could use it in my wheelchair. With his help I was able to walk to recieve my diploma from the University of Oregon before a hip surgery put me back in the wheelchair for two years. I saw him at his retirement party and then he and his wife Joannie in 2013 came to the U of O basketball game where I was honored as the U of O 2010 outstanding young aluma. The words Thank you are not enough to express my gratitude for what he gave back to me. Rest in peace, the world is a little less bright with you gone, but I hope I made you proud. That you were proud of the life you helped saved.
Deborah Lovell Adams
April 30, 2020
Dr. Cutler saved my hand due to an accident with a glass Wesson Oil bottle o May 1, 1972 while I was a student at Northwest Christian College. A great optimist, he was encouraging as I had a tough road of healing ahead of me and it was my dominant hand. Three years later when I returned to California and was living in Chico he referred me to a colleague of his, Dr. Creech consulting over the phone for scar tissue removal. I loved his bedside manner, Rest in peace, Dr. Cutler. And thank you for your service to the people in this world.
DeLeesa Meashintubby
April 30, 2020
I share many a fond memory of working with Dr. Cutler at Volunteers In Medicine Clinic. He was one of the kindest men I have met. My sympathy to the family.
Robin Thomas
April 29, 2020
I worked for Dr. Cutler for 22 years. There has never been a more kind or gentle soul. He knew how to make each one of us feel special.He adored his wife and children beyond words. He was interested is so many things and was so artistic. He loved growing his bamboo and grape varieties. I feel so blessed to have known him and that I was able to work with him for so many years. Rest in peace kind sir. Robin Thomas
Rick Gray
April 26, 2020
I have so many fun memories with Gar. Building a wooden bow, playing on the rope swing, looking at medical manuals and admiring the skull he had. What a neat property and wonderful man. Gar was so much fun to be around. We did plaster face molds one time and he always had neat projects for us. Great childhood memories.
Carol Stark
April 26, 2020
Garr was a kind sole and a great surgeon. I was able to meet and work with Garr as an OR nurse and in his office as well. We spent many long nights on call reattaching digits under the microscope. He will be missed. He loved his wife, family and friends. Carol Stark
Kiya Movassaghi
April 26, 2020
He was a mentor, colleague and friend. He was kind, humble and gentle and so accomplished and smart. When I came to town he would offer to to assist me in complex surgeries. We talked for hours about life, family and medicine. I respected his judgement and am forever grateful for his generosity of heart and spirit! May you Rest In Peace dear friend!
April 26, 2020
I worked as Dr. Cutler's office nurse for 13 years. Stayed with his practice till he retired. He was the most wonderful caring man I ever met. Always so patient and sweet to everyone. We all loved him and he will be greatly missed. Nancy Brown
April 25, 2020
Dr Cutler performed surgery on my wrist/hand after a horrible accident when I was 2 years old, back in 1974. Although, I do not recall having met him, I have always been thankful that he was able to not only save my hand but reattach all nerves making it fully functional. RIP
April 24, 2020
Knew Garr since 1972 when I started practice. He was a true gentlemann and an excellent surgeon, always placing the patients best interest first. He will be missed. Don Marvel
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