John ''Jack'' E. Gessner, M.D.

JOHN “JACK” E. GESSNER, M.D., On July 26, 2005, John E. Gessner, M.D. passed away at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace. He was 77 years old. Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and a resident of Bel Air since 1964, he is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anna R. “Jeanne” Gessner, five children, Mary L. Harris of Bel Air, John J. Gessner of Bel Air, William G. Gessner of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Frederick M. Gessner of Newport News, Virginia, Dr. Carl E. Gessner of Greensboro, North Carolina; ten grandchildren, Brian K. Harris, Krista H. Hermann, Gina T. Gessner, and Christopher J. Gessner, all of Bel Air, Andrea L. Gessner of Havre de Grace, Lauren E. Gessner, Victoria C. Gessner and Nicholas M. Gessner, all of Newport News, Virginia, and Margaret L. Gessner and Thomas E. Gessner of Greensboro, North Carolina; and one great-grandson, Aidan C. Hermann of Bel Air.

Dr. Gessner graduated from Loyola College of Maryland and the University of Maryland Medical School. He was a family physician for six years, practicing in the Essex/Middle River area of Baltimore County in the 1950’s. He then received his Board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He was an associate professor at the University of Maryland Medical School for many years and in that capacity taught medical students and physical therapy students and also treated patients at several Baltimore area hospitals and rehabilitation centers. In 1985, he accepted the position of Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Perry Point, which he held until his retirement in 1990. An accomplished musician, he was a former member of the U.S. Army Field Band. In his retirement, he played the saxophone in the Bel Air Community Band for several years.

Please omit flowers, but contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 572, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.