1926 – February 22, 2021
Hervey W. Gimbel ’55 died in Loma Linda on Feb. 22, 2021. Born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1926, he was the oldest of six children and grew up on a wheat farm east of Calgary where the prairie lifestyle taught him to work hard, never complain, and be generous to others. He attended Walla Walla College, where he met Ann Matterand, his wife of 69 years. After medical school, Dr. Gimbel returned to Canada and established a family practice in Calgary. For the next 25 years, he delighted in treating patients from all walks of life. Dr. Gimbel pioneered a Health Education Center in Calgary to educate the community on healthy diet, smoking cessation, exercise, and mental health.
Beginning in 1982, Dr. Gimbel served as associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and practiced preventive and occupational medicine. He completed his career at age 92 by doing annual at-home physical exams for Medicare patients. In 1991, God opened the door for Dr. Gimbel to collaborate with physicians in China to help them educate patients regarding smoking cessation. Over the course of two decades, he assisted three of China’s major medical schools to become smoke-free—some of his most fulfilling work.
Dr. Gimbel cherished time with family. He was a lover of music and beauty: a pianist, avid traveler, photographer, voracious reader and underliner, faithful friend, wise and loving father, and rock-steady provider. But most importantly, Jesus was his best friend. Dr. Gimbel is survived by his wife, five children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.