Life Legacy – Dr. Robert M. Gertz

Dr. Robert M. Gertz, currently of Fort Washington, MD was born September 21, 1928 in Torrington, Connecticut to Arthur and Ruby Gertz. He was the brother of Arthur, William, Kenneth, James, Gustav, (all military veterans) and Ruby, and Linda.

He was a student at Hamden High School in Hamden, CT before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1945 as an Apprentice Seaman. He was subsequently awarded a high school diploma from Hamden High School, Hamden, Connecticut. While in the Navy as a enlistee he advanced to the rating of Hospital Corpsman (Petty Officer) First Class (HM1).

Early Navy assignments included duty in Bainbridge, MD, US Naval Training Station, Newport, R.I., U.S. Naval Hospitals in Newport, RI, and Jacksonville, FL, USS Albany CA 123, and the USS Portsmouth CL102 – over sea duty. Later he served at several navy facilities including the US Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, Patuxent Naval Air Station, MD, and a two year assignment at the US Naval Hospital, Canal Zone.

Having graduated from the Navy Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Illinois, he completed Operating Room Technician School at the Naval Hospital in Newport Rhode, RI, the Naval Clinical Laboratory Technology School and the Naval Blood Bank School both at the National Naval Medical Center NNMC, Bethesda, MD and the Instructor’s School at the Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, IL.

His assignments varied from the Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, MD to the Naval Training Center and Hospital in Newport RI, to the Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, to the USS Albany (CA 123) in Quincy, Mass, to the USS Portsmouth (CL-102) in Newport RI, as a pharmacist mate – (medical corpsman). While aboard the USS Portsmouth in 1946-47 the ship made a six month tour to the Mediterranean Sea (Italy, Malta, Trieste, Genoa, etc.) as a member of the WWII US “Occupation” force.

Upon arriving back to the US Naval Base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he was on his way to the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School, at Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion of the course of “Hospital Corpsman”, he was transferred to the Naval Hospital in Newport RI where he completed Operating Room Technician Training School. He then was selected to attend the Naval Clinical Laboratory School and later the Naval Blood Bank School both at the National Naval Medical Center, NNMC. Bethesda. MD.

The next assignments were to the Naval Medical Dispensary at the NAS, Patuxent River, MD and to the Naval Hospital, Canal Zone (Panama) and finally, to the US Naval Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, IL as an instructor via the Instructors School at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL. His final over sea assignment was at two year tour at the US Naval Hospital, Canal Zone.

Following enlisted service in the US Navy in 1956, Gertz received an officer’s direct commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps. He attended the Hospital Administration school at Gunter Air Force Base, AL and was assigned to the USAF Hospital at Dover AFB, DE followed by assignments at the Medical Supply Depot in Louisville, KY, the US Air Force Hospital, Hill, AFB, Layton UT, and US Air Force Hospital, Johnson AB in Japan. During this time he attended several colleges/universities – and received an earned Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Omaha, NE (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha).

In 1961 Gertz, was reassigned from Hill Air Force base to the US Air Force Hospital, Johnson Air Base in Japan. He then transferred as a Naval Officer to the US Navy Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. He was assigned duty as a medical administrator at the US Naval Hospital. Upon completion of that assignment in 1963 he was transferred to the Aviation Medical Research Laboratory, Johnsville, PA for duty as the medical administrator. The laboratory had contained the large human centrifuge that was used as part of the astronauts training program for the Project Mercury and Gemni Astronauts. It was at that assignment that Gertz met and worked with many of the astronauts including Gus Grissom, John Glen, Scott Carpenter, etc. Gertz attended Temple University, Philadelphia, PA part time on evenings and weekends and earned a Master in Education (M.Ed.) degree in “Educational Administration’‘. During that assignment, Gertz was promoted to Lt. Commander. Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy..

Because of CDR Gertz’s service, and educational degrees, he was appointed “Academic Director” at the US Naval Dental Technicians School, Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA. In 1967 Gertz, was transferred to Washington, DC and was appointed assistant director to RADM George Refinstein (MC), USNR for clinical research and medical education with offices at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. He retired from the U.S. Navy in August 1968 having completed 23 continuous years of active service. He received numerous awards and honors for his service including a “SALUTE” from the U.S. Senate. Following retirement he held senior level positions in medical associations and earned a Masters and Doctorate degree from Nova University (now Nova Southeastern University) FL. He held university / college faculty appointments at Northern Virginia Community College, University of Maryland and Charles County Community College. He also held senior level positions in medical associations including Executive Director, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, Washington, D.C., Director of professional credentialing and program certification – American Society of Clinical Pathologist, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Gertz was a member of several professional organizations including the Virginia Association of Allied Health (President 1984-1986), Aerospace Medical Association, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, (Executive Director), Military Officer’s Association of America, Military Department State of Maryland – (Colonel 06), Military Surgeons, State Guard Association Journal, (Editor- in-Chief), and the Navy and WWII Memorials in Washington, DC.

He was an advocate of higher education and spent his life helping others to achieve. He was married to Mary Lou Orsato, LLB of Tenafly, NJ. Together they raised three sons (Gary, Thomas, Donald) who received college educations and became experts in computer technology - Gary and Thomas are military (US Navy) retirees. Dr. Gertz is the father of Mona Cooper and Robert Gertz (not Jr.) from a previous marriage.

In June 1950 Gertz then a U.S. Navy HM1, (medical Corpsman) was accepted into a pre-medical program at Bridgeport University, Bridgeport, CT. However, the Korean War had began and medical corpsmen with his medical qualifications and experience were needed for the conflict – so, no medical doctorate (MD) degree.

In pursuit of his academic studies while on active military duty and to accommodate frequent reassignments, Dr. Gertz was compelled to attend a number of colleges and universities transferring credits from one institution to another. Institutions attended included:

1. Louisiana State University – Extension – Canal Zone Panama
2. Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois
3. Weber College, Ogden, Utah (now Weber State University)
4. University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
5, University of Omaha, (now University of Nebraska at Omaha) (Baccalaureate degree awarded 1960)
6. California Western University, San Diego, CA.
7. Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Master of Education degree awarded 1966).
8. Nova University (now Nova Southeastern University) Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Masters and Doctor degrees awarded 1977).

The Gertz family consisted of Arthur Gertz, Sr., (father) USA (WWI), Ruby (mother), Arthur / Grace, Robert / MaryLou, William/ Alice, Kenneth/Joan, James/Marisa, Gustav/Ann, Ruby/Richard, and Linda/Frank. All Gertz men served in the US Armed Forces – Arthur (USA) (WWII) / Germany, Robert (USN & USAF) / Italy/Japan/Canal Zone, are WWII veterans. William (USA) served in Occupation Force in Germany, Kenneth (USN/USMC/USA) served in Korea, James (USAF) served in England, Gustav (USA) in the USA. Gary and Thomas, sons of Dr. Gertz, are retired Chief Petty Officers of the U.S. Navy.

His father (Arthur) and mother (Ruby) were proud of their sons and daughters living to witness their accomplishments.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to www.navymemorial.org/donate-gift-in-honor-form in memory of CDR Robert M. Gertz.







On Monday, September 10, 2018; the beloved husband of the late Mary Gertz. He is survived by his children, brother, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Dr. Gertz’s Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. Services will be held at the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.. Please arrive at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel by 12:15 p.m. Interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.