Dr. Victor W. Gieschen

1931 - 2009

Dr. Victor W. Gieschen, one of the first Physicians in Thousand Oaks, passed on quietly at his home on June 3, 2009, due to complications of Parkinson's disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor August and Mildred Emily Gieschen; and his son, Larry Daniel Gieschen. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara; his children, Susan, Bonnie, Kevin, and Jen; and his grandchildren, Josh, Kate, Lily, and Jayden. Dr. Gieschen practiced medicine in the Conejo Valley for 33 years.

He was one of the founders of Lombard Medical Group, the first multi specialty clinic in the community. He served as Chief of Staff at Conejo Valley Hospital (the forerunner to Los Robles Medical Center). He was an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine Emeritus at USC. In addition to his private practice, for more than 25 years, he was also the Regional Medical Director for State Farm Insurance in Westlake Village. Dr. Gieschen started the first American Cancer Society Tumor Board and was a past President of the Conejo Valley Heart Association.

Victor was born on May 17, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the only child of Victor and Mildred Gieschen. Victor attended medical school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. It was there in his senior year that he met Barbara Eglin, who he would in time call "My only love". Vic and Barbara married on June 11th in 1955. After the honeymoon, they settled into some dormitory rooms at the Medical College of Virginia, where Victor was doing his internship.

Following that, they made the first of many drives across the United States, taking in all the sights along the way. Their destination was Los Angeles where the young Dr. Gieschen did his residency at USC/Los Angeles County General Hospital. The Gieschens then moved to Palos Verdes for a few years while Victor served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander on the U.S.S. Haven, a hospital ship based out of Long Beach. After finishing his service in the Navy, Victor returned to University of Southern California for further education and training in the specialty of endocrinology.

It was during this time that Vic and Barbara would drive around on the weekends searching for the ideal place where Victor could start his medical practice. Both were charmed by the small community of Conejo Village. They were struck by the natural beauty of the gently rolling hills with their majestic oak trees and the occasional glimpse of sheep grazing in the open fields. In 1962, now with three young children, the young couple moved into their newly purchased home upon an acre of bare land in Lynn Ranch. Forty-seven years later would find Vic and Barbara still residing in that same home and that bare acre of land transformed into a beautiful garden of hundreds of trees and flowers lovingly planted and cared for by Victor. Evidently the Gieschens chose well back in 1962, they went on to have a wonderful life in the Conejo Valley, Vic's medical practice thrived, they raised five children together, and enjoyed many great times with their cherished friends.

Victor was on a lifelong quest to experience and learn all that he could. He loved being a doctor. This was a man who woke up happy and excited to be going to work. This was a man who came home from a long day's work only to relax by reading the latest medical textbook. He told his daughter, Bonnie who also became a doctor, that he considered it an honor and a privilege that people would entrust their care to him. Upon retiring he had this to say when referring to his many patients, "I tried to give them the best and I enjoyed them".

Victor also loved being a father and was very involved in his children's upbringing. He took his family on long camping trips each summer visiting most of the state and national parks in the USA. When his eldest daughter, Susan was approaching age fifteen, he felt that his time as a Dad might be running out. That prompted him, along with Barbara, to adopt their son Larry. Shortly after that Barbara became pregnant with their youngest child Jenny. Vic was so happy to have many more years of fatherhood ahead of him. Vic adored his wife, Barbara. As he was a shy and soft spoken man, he marveled at the natural warmth and ease of conversation that Barbara had with everyone she encountered. Vic and Barbara traveled the world together, among their favorite places were the Galapagos Islands and Antartica. For over 20 years they attended Moorpark College, taking one course each semester just to learn something new.

With their friends they enjoyed tennis, Bridge, camping, water skiing, snow skiing, and celebrating hallmark birthdays and anniversaries together. Along with his son, Kevin, Vic was in an investment club. Anyone who met Vic would soon find out that the stock market was a great interest and pastime of his. Vic joined the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks in 1962. He was proud to be a member of Rotary an enjoyed the camaraderie very much. Vic's family would like to give a special thanks to his fellow Rotarians Ed Hager and Phil Sheridan. Both men showed Vic such kindness and consideration during the last few years of his declining health.

At Vic's core was a passion for the wonder and beauty of nature. He was probably happiest when camping or planting a new tree in his yard. He loved animals and at one time or another shared his home with dogs, fish, Arabian horses, parakeets, ducks, rabbits, pet rats, pet snakes, sheep, tortoises, squirrels and frogs. Vic had a special place in his heart for bullfrogs and tortoises. He built small ponds in his yard and filled them with lily pads to entice bullfrogs to make their homes there. He had a scrapbook just devoted to articles about tortoises.

Victor had Parkinson's disease for over 10 years. Never once did a family member hear him complain about it. As the years went on he continued, according to his ability, to live each day to its fullest. His devoted wife, Barbara, was nothing short of heroic in her care of Victor during his first several years with Parkinson's. It's a 24 hour a day seven days a week endeavor. When Vic could no longer drive, Barbara did her best taking him to the Rotary and hospital meetings that he so enjoyed.

When the time came that Vic required a private caregiver, out of several candidates, he personally chose Angelita Millare. Again, Vic chose well. Angie proved to be a person of exceptional integrity. Always patient, gentle, loving, and cheerful. It was evident that she really enjoyed the company of "Doctor" as she called Vic. Angie's natural warmth and ease of interacting with Vic gave an exceptional quality of life to the last few difficult years. Vic's family will always be grateful to her for that.

A few days before Victor died, his friends, Mary Lee Kind and Elaine Morgan, came to visit. Vic was resting with his eyes closed and too weak to talk, so Mary Lee and Elaine kept the conversation going. There was little, if any, indication that Vic was listening to them. Then the topic of conversation turned to bullfrogs and immediately Vic's face lit up with pure delight. To me that moment captures perfectly the treasure that was Victor Woodward Gieschen. He will be dearly missed, by family and friends.

A service celebrating the life of Dr. Victor W. Gieschen will be held on Friday, June 19th, at 1 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church located at 1600 East Hillcrest Drive. All are welcome to attend. The family requests that in lieu of flowers any donations be made tot he Yosemite Fund at www.yosemitefund.org or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at www.michaeljfox.org