2005 -- H 5820

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LC02235

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2005

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. MELVYN GELCH

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Fox, Gemma, Williams, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: February 17, 2005

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Dr.

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Melvyn Gelch; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Abram and Ida Gelch, Dr. Melvyn

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Gelch was the devoted husband of Joan, the loving father of four children, Hugh, Ilene, Stefan

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and Diane and the proud grandfather of six grandchildren; and

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     WHEREAS, A distinguished graduate of John Hopkins University, Dr. Gelch continued

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his education, receiving his MD from Harvard University; and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Gelch's deep commitment to medicine was manifested not only in the

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attention and dedication be bestowed upon his patients through thirty-seven years as a practicing

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neurosurgeon, but also in his participation and a host of organizations including; an appointment

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as Associate Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery at Brown University; he established the

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Kameny Lectureship in Geriatric Medicine; and he was a member of the Board of Governors at

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Rhode Island Hospital and past president of the Staff Association; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Gelch made time in his life to be involved in the betterment

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of his community. He was the past chairman of the Providence Home Rule Charter Commission,

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was a member of the Board of Dorcas Place Parent Literacy Center, a Trustee on the Board of

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Directors of Temple Beth El and a delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention, where

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he was instrumental in the creation of the ethics commission; and

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     WHEREAS, Even though we are diminished by this loss and mourn the passing of Dr.

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Gelch, so must we celebrate the spirit, generosity and courage with which he lived every day of

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his life; and

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     WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, and a respected and brilliant doctor, Dr.

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Gelch's life and achievements will live on for many years to come in the memories of everyone

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fortunate enough to have been touched by the quality of this remarkable gentleman; and be it

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further

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the entire Glech family on the

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passing of Melvyn M. Gelch, M.D.; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Joan Gelch and Family.

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LC02235

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