George Reinhardt

Dr. George Reinhardt, a retired surgeon, died peacefully on December 1, 2019 in Naples at the age of 81. George was the elder son of the late Dr. Edgar and Bernice Reinhardt of Nashville, Illinois. George attended Valparaiso University and graduated from Washington University and then the Washington University School of Medicine. He then took his Internship and Residency in General Surgery at the University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio. Following that training, he was commissioned as a Major in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict. He spent a year serving as a trauma surgeon in the 91st Evacuation Hospital, Chu Lai, Vietnam. There he earned the Bronze Star for his dedicated service to the wounded troops.

Following his military duty, George became a career Staff Surgeon at the Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital, with an academic appointment as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL. George was Chief of the General Surgery Section for more than 20 years.

George was heavily involved in research about parenteral (intravenous) nutrition for patients. He published numerous articles and textbook chapters on that topic and lectured nationally and internationally. He was fascinated by Russian language and culture, and became proficient in the language. As speaker at a 1996 scientific program in Moscow, he delivered a portion of his program in Russian. George was active in numerous medical societies and was an elected Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He received the College’s Fellows Leadership Award in 2002. In retirement, George moved to Naples, where he lived for more than 20 years. He greatly enjoyed the beauty and warmth of the area, as well as local cultural activities. He was a life-long learner, an avid photographer and enjoyed reading, especially history. George was a man of strong faith and compassionate service to others, including his country. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

George is survived by sons David (Chicago) and Gregory (Hinsdale, IL) as well as granddaughters Taylor and Alison; in addition to his sisters Carol Jung (Tampa, FL) and Sara (Curt) Kasten (Lakewood Ranch, FL), brother John (Claudia) Reinhardt (Lincoln, NE) and multiple nieces and nephews.

A memorial Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 777 Mooring Line Drive, Naples. A reception will follow at the church.