Gary Gregersen

Dr. Gary Gustav Gregersen passed away in November 2023 at the age of 85 with his loving family by his side. Gary was born in 1938, in Eureka, CA to Howard and Adelaide Gregersen. After his mother passed away when he was 1, Gary was raised by his two grandmothers. Gary split his youth summering in Laytonville, CA with his maternal grandmother, Rose Wilson, and uncles Lee and Don Wilson; and schooling in San Francisco with his paternal grandmother, Alma Gregersen, and dear aunts Helen, Anne and Ruth, and cousins Judy Marks, Joanne McCoy, and Karen Burgess.

Gary graduated from Lincoln High School in San Francisco in 1956. There he met his future wife, Janet Evelyn Daniels. They married the year after their high school graduation and welcomed three children: Howard, Sharon, and Glenn. They were married 27 years when Janet passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer in 1987.

Gary attended UC Berkeley, graduated in 3 years in 1959, then proceeded to medical school at UC San Francisco where he received his MD degree in 1963. He continued at UCSF for his medical residency in orthopedics, but before he could begin a career in orthopedic surgery, he was drafted and headed to Vietnam. Gary served in the Navy, trained at Camp Pendleton, and shipped out in January 1969. He served in the 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division while in Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. Gary asserted himself early, gaining more control and safety of the unit during his time in Vietnam. Due to his success, his superiors promoted him to Lieutenant Commander and put him in charge as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, B Company with 20 surgeons and over 100 support staff under his command. He survived several enemy bombing raids that hit his unit in Da Nang. Gary served 20 years in the US Naval Reserves. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service in Vietnam.

After his honorable discharge, he began his practice in Oakland, CA near his home in Piedmont. He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 1970. Although he retired in 2000, he maintained his medical license and status until his death.

After the passing of his first wife in 1987, Gary married Shirley Ann Noesen in 1988 in a ceremony in Picayune, MS. Shirley assisted Gary in his medical practice until they retired. They traveled the world and loved spending time with friends and family.

Gary was an avid golfer and joined Monterey Peninsula Country Club in 1985. He served on various committees and was active in both the Men’s Golf Association and the Senior Men’s Golf Association. He was also a member of the Old Capital Club and The Group. Gary and Shirley attended The Church in the Forest. In addition to enjoying golf, Gary was an avid hunter, traveler, and reader…his favorite writer was Louis L’Amour. Also, Gary was always proud of his Norwegian heritage.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Shirley; his children: Howard, Sharon (Bill) Self, and Glenn (Linda); grandchildren: Adron (Susan), Nickolai (Denee) and Gary (Chelsea) Beene; Kevin and Brian Gregersen; and great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Leland, Wyatt, Adalyn and Collette Beene. He also leaves behind his step-children: Sherri (Robert) Thigpen, and Lori Burgess; along with step-grandchildren: Laci (Clay) Brunson, Terri (Victor) Cochran, and Trevor (Corinne) Self; and great-step grandchildren: Caleb (Caroline) and Cameron Brunson, Darren and Lana Cochran, and Clara, Elin and Norah Self. He is preceded in death by his late wife, Janet.

Gary had a magnetic personality with a joy for living and entertaining those around him. He had a gift for storytelling and making people laugh and feel loved. Gary was a loving husband, wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and loyal friend that will be greatly missed by his family and friends in California, Mississippi, and elsewhere.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Lustgarten Foundation (https://lustgarten.org/) that funds pancreatic cancer research, or Youth on Course (https://youthoncourse.org/donate), providing young people with access to life-changing opportunities through golf.

There will be a private memorial gathering of family and friends.