George Howard Gould, 91

Dr. George Gould, 91, died at his home in Kalispell on May 16, 2012, after a long and rich life.

He was born Aug. 18, 1920, in Dorchester, Mass., to Johanna and Harry Gould.

In 1942, George joined the Navy as a pharmacist mate, and received a degree in pre-medicine through the V-12 Program. In 1945 he entered the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. George graduated from medical school in 1949 and did a two-year rotating internship at Cook County Hospital.  

In 1947 he met his future wife, Barbara Schultz, in Yellowstone Park while working at Old Faithful Inn. The two were married in 1950 in Chicago.

He rejoined the Navy as a physician in 1951 during the Korean conflict.

Following his Naval service he worked for the Park Service in Yellowstone Park as a resident physician for one year. In 1955 he moved to Kalispell with his partner, Dr. Jerry Wildgen, to open a family medicine practice.

He and Barbara raised a family of eight children in Kalispell and Dr. Gould practiced medicine in the valley for 38 years. He was an excellent educator and welcomed medical students and medical residents into his life and office as a WWAMI program director. He was honored by the University of Washington School of Medicine as a Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine.

Golf was a lifelong passion for George; he often hit the ball “not far, but straight.” After moving to Kalispell he enjoyed exploring the Montana outdoors with his family. He was an active member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

George is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; and by his children, Tom, Joan and Bud Thullbery, Pat and Joann, John and Nancy, Chris and Cami, Tim, and Greg. In addition, he is survived by 15 grandchildren.

 George was preceded in death by his son, Dan; his grandson, Jeff Gould; his parents; and his siblings.

There will be a rosary and remembrance service at 7 p.m. today, May 17, at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 18, at St. Matthew’s Church, followed by a burial at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There will be a reception at St. Matthew’s Church basement following the burial, at approximately 4 p.m.

The family suggests memorial donations to the Flathead Valley Community College Nursing Program, or the Home Options Hospice.