Dr. David Gilchrist, DVM,(1938-2019)

GILCHRIST

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/12/2019 at 09:40:54

DR. DAVID GILCHRIST, DVM
Monticello

Dr. David Gilchrist, DVM, 80, died peacefully Friday evening, Feb. 8, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his family. A Life Celebration service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at the United Church of Monticello. The Rev. Ed Moreano and the Rev. Jean Sullivan will officiate the services. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Church of Monticello, the National Wildlife Foundation or a charity of choice.
Surviving him are his wife of 48 years, Susan; and three children, Christopher (Holly Leddy) Gilchrist of Durham, N.C., Daniel (Kristin) Gilchrist of Rockville, Md., and Sarah (Andrew) Rockenstein of Berlin, Germany. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Isaac and Elliott Gilchrist and Alice and Hugo Rockenstein; and two special nephews and their families, Earl Adams of La Porte, Ind., and Dr. Loren Adams of Fairfield, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Alice Adams; an infant brother, Warren; and an infant sister, Cheryl.
David Lee Gilchrist was born Sept. 18, 1938, in La Porte, Ind. He was the son of Vernon "Jack" and Mae Ella (nee Marx) Gilchrist. David graduated as valedictorian from Mill Creek (Ind.) High School in 1956. He continued his education at Purdue University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. David enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Army Reserve. He returned to school and was in the fourth class of graduates from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1966. He practiced in Shannon, Ill., with Dr. Robert Swingley from 1966 to 1970. David married Susan Swingley on June 6, 1970, in Rockton, Ill. The couple moved to Monticello, where David joined John Chittick in the Chittick and Gilchrist Veterinary Practice, later to become the Monticello Veterinary Clinic. He retired from his practice in 1998.
David served on many boards and committees, including the Jones County Board of Health for 18 years, the Land Use Board, the Monticello Zoning Board, the John McDonald Hospital Board, the Monticello State Bank Board, the Jones County Community Foundation Board, and he served as a trustee of the United Church of Monticello. David also ran for the seat of the Iowa House of Representatives District 56 in 2000.
David had many hobbies, including woodworking, coffee roasting, gardening, fishing and boating. He enjoyed many years with his family at their cabin in Guttenberg on Abel Island. He also enjoyed driving around the country visiting his children and grandchildren. His sense of humor, love of learning and gregarious attitude toward life will be remembered by many.