George Sperry, M.D. (PDC ‘66)

SPERRY, George P., M.D. Age 88, of Washington Township, died Sunday, December 3, 2017 following a lengthy illness. Dr. Sperry was born October 3, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to John A. and Stella (Phillips) Sperry. He graduated from Tallmadge (Ohio) High School, class of 1947, from Vermont Academy, class of 1948, received his BA degree from Middlebury College (Vermont) in 1952 and earned his MD from The Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1956. Dr. Sperry married Rachel Byron June 14, 1958, in Conneaut, OH. This union lasted 31 years until his beloved wife’s untimely death on August 3, 1989. Dr. Sperry served in the United States Public Health Service from 1957-1965. This assignment took him to Alaska where he served as Medical Officer in Charge of the Alaska Native Medical Center in Juneau from 1957-1960, and as the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics for the ANMC in Anchorage from 1962-1965. He was especially proud to be the recipient of the first medical license issued by the State of Alaska after it was granted statehood in 1959. Upon Honorable Discharge from the USPHS, Dr. Sperry arrived in Dayton in 1966, accepting the role of Associate Medical Director of fledgling Barney Children’s Hospital. On his first day the hospital was just partially completed, and only eight chronically ill children were being treated. Dr. Sperry was part of a management team which, with the generous financial support of prominent local benefactors, transformed Barney’s into the nationally-acclaimed Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. Dr. Sperry left for private practice in pediatrics in 1972, joining colleague Dr. Phillip Eckert in forming Pediatric Associates of Kettering. He worked alongside a dedicated nursing and administrative staff who became close friends and with whom he continued to meet with monthly long into retirement. To him it was important to make the office a fun, enjoyable place to work. Certainly those who worked with him will remember his lighthearted annual observance of the otherwise non-descript St. Swithin’s Day! He retired in 1992. During this time Dr. Sperry also served a term as Chief of Professional Staff for Children’s Medical Center (1980-81) and was an Associate Professor for the Wright State University School of Medicine. In 1993 he was honored to receive the Wallace B. Taggart Award, named for Dr. Sperry’s respected mentor whom he described as “the one recurring hero throughout Children’s early years.” He was a proud member of the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, Ohio, and often pointed out that his ancestor delivered the first log toward construction of the landmark church on Tallmadge Circle. Dr. Sperry was preceded in death by his parents, John and Stella Sperry; his wife, Rachel; his brother, John A. Sperry Jr. and wife, Jean Sperry; aunt, Helen A. Sperry; uncle, Robert Sperry and cousins Anne and Virginia Sperry. He is survived by his son Henry B. Sperry, wife Karen, and grandchildren Rachel, Jennifer and Joseph, of Dayton, OH. Survived also by his son Robert G. Sperry, fiancee Rhonda McLaughlin and her sons Tanner and Camden of LaConnor, WA. Also survived by son John P. Sperry and granddaughters Alexandria and Emma of Miamisburg, Ohio. Also surviving are cousin Roberta Schweiger, nephew Robert Byron, nieces Kathy Byron McLelland, Betsey Byron Kainer and Cindy Byron. He is also survived by Sondra Bolinger, who provided Dad with years of love, care and companionship. The family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care and assistance provided by agents of Kettering Home Health, Home Instead Senior Care and Grace Hospice. All the individuals at those agencies are dedicated professionals but we wish to spotlight several caregivers who we feel went the extra mile for Dad: Beth Griffith of Kettering Home Health; Beth Hall of Home Instead; Jon Sullivan, Pat Holly and determined patient advocate and dedicated nurse Cheryl Ward of Grace Hospice. There will be two opportunities for visitation. The first is Friday, December 8, from 5 PM thru 8 PM. The second visitation is scheduled for Saturday, December 9, from 10 AM to 11 AM. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 on Saturday. These events will be conducted at the Routsong Funeral Home, Kettering Chapel, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, OH, 45429 Burial will occur immediately after the service, at David’s Cemetery, off David Road between Mad River Road and Far Hills Avenue. After the services, refreshments will be served in the banquet hall at Routsong Funeral Home on Stroop. In lieu of flowers, please direct a donation to Children’s Medical Center. Contact information: Cash, check or credit card donation by phone, please call the Foundation at 937-641-3405. By mail, send to: Dayton Children’s Hospital Attn: Foundation One Children’s Plaza Dayton, OH 45404-1815 Or, donate online at: https://www.childrensdayton.org/community/giving/make-donationCondolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.