Dr. Gilbert Eugene Blaum Obituary (1936 - 2018)

Gilbert E. Blaum, M.D. Dr. Gilbert Eugene "Gene" Blaum died on Monday, March 26, 2018 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Gene was born on July 9, 1936, in New Holland where he was raised. He graduated Blackburn College in 1957 from the work study program where he did masonry work to pay off his tuition. He graduated from University of Illinois Chicago in 1961, where he met Katherine Camenzind, a nurse and they married on May 26, 1961. He completed his residency at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago and opened a practice in Park Ridge in 1962. In 1964, they relocated his practice to Lincoln to be closer to family and be involved in a smaller, tight-knit community. He served in Vietnam for our Armed Forces as an U.S. Army flight surgeon rising to the rank of Captain from 1966-1968 where he was awarded three Air Medals for flying in combat missions, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf clusters for meritorious achievement in combat. With an honorable discharge, he settled back into his hometown, Lincoln, and opened his family practice ultimately serving over four thousand patients and delivering hundreds of babies, many generational. He was one of the founding members of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Medical Center and the Family Medical Center and served as its President and/or its Medical Director for over 30 years. His list of accomplishments include Medical Staff President: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, '73-'75; '80-'85; '90-'99; President, Logan County Medical Society, '70-74; President: Logan County Board of Health, '67-77; President: Logan County Heart Association, '85-'92; Director: IL Mid-State Health Planning Council, '75-'85; Diplomat: National Board of Medical Examiners; Diplomat: American Board of Family Practice; Member and President: Lincoln High School Board, '79-'85. He served on the Board of Directors for Logan County Bank, Abraham Lincoln Health System, and Lincoln College. He was named Lincoln Courier's "Man of the Year" 1970; and received numerous community service awards. Dr. Blaum was instrumental in many of the innovations at ALMH including directing the Inhalation Therapy Unit, Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Rehab Department but his passion was creating an organized Emergency Medical Service operation in Logan County, first as a department within the hospital and later, as a nonprofit; the Logan County Paramedic Association. Using what he learned as a flight surgeon about triage, trauma and emergency care, he trained and supported many paramedics and was actively involved in the ambulance service for over 35 years. He is survived by three children; Jeff Blaum (Beth Pryor) of St. Helena, CA, Pam Blaum Simpson (Gary Smeltzer) of Napa, CA, Mike (Barb) Blaum, Downers Grove, IL and six grandchildren, Abby Simpson, Ben Simpson, Emily Blaum, Daniel Blaum, Charlie Blaum and George Blaum. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert George Blaum and Dixie Gertrude (Long) Blaum and his sister, Suzanne Blaum Aper and brother-in-law Myron Aper. Along with his immediate family, Gene was devoted to his niece Terri (Otie) Tripplett and nephew Tim Aper along with their children and grandchildren and to his cousin Paul (Sue) Beaver. He had many interests, including flying, which came from his military experience and he kept his pilot's license current after flying single engine planes for years. Later in life, he fed his love for learning by flying drones, cloning orchids, and honing his piano and singing skills. His dogs, Murphy and Duffy, also gave him much joy. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, April 4. The family will then greet friends, relatives and patients for a celebration of Gene's life on Wednesday afternoon, from 3 - 7pm both at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Dr. Blaum's name to the Logan County Paramedic Association.