Gary Mack Boelling was born in Herington, Kansas on June 2, 1936 and died of natural causes in Port Townsend, WA on June 1st, 2024 one day short of his 88th birthday. He was beloved by his family, friends, and patients, and he leaves a legacy of community involvement, health care advocacy, excellence in the medical field, and genuine care for all the people in his life. His surviving family include Barbara, his wife of 62 years, daughter Karen and son-in-law Robert, son John and daughter-in-law Cynthia, sisters Kathy and Judi, granddaughters Helen, Emma, Margaret and Greta, and great-grandchildren, Vivian, Evelyn, Sawyer, Stella and Vera.
Mack had a deep intellect and cultivated a lifelong joy of learning in many areas, especially science, nature and history. He loved to hike and camp, and climbed many northwest mountains. Mack was a skilled wood-worker,a tuba player in the Port Townsend Summer Band, and a local pie-making legend. He had an unflagging work ethic (starting at 4am every day), a no-nonsense approach to life, and a presence that was simultaneously commanding and humble. He endeared people with his calm, good-natured manner, and earned their trust with his honesty and reliability. He was a natural leader but never self-important. Above all, Mack was a family man, devoted to his wife and children who adored him equally.
Gary was the 2nd of 4 children born to Emery F. and Jessie L. (Sangwin) Boelling, but everyone called him Mack or Mackie. He grew up in the small town of Belleville, Kansas where his father was a train conductor on the Rock Island Line and his mother was a beloved kindergarten teacher. At a young age, Mack had a paper route which he dutifully maintained through all kinds of weather, usually accompanied by his dog Duke. He was also the frequent winner of his school’s attendance award, rarely missing a day. Mack excelled in football and basketball, and because he was big and strong enough to lift it, was assigned the sousaphone to play in the school band. Mack was always popular with the girls: tall, handsome, and well-behaved thanks to his mother and sisters’ supervision. He spent summers with his grandfather helping him with his carpentry business, learning skills that he carried through his life. He graduated from high school in 1954, yet continued to spill his milk at the dinner table, a recurring theme throughout his life.
Mack went on to pre-med studies at Kansas State University, and in 1963 graduated from medical school at Washington University, St. Louis. He became a Board Certified Internist. He was later among the first in the nation to be Board Certified in Geriatrics. He met Barbara Helen Hatcher in 1960 and they married in 1962. They had a daughter Karen and a son, John. From 1967-1970 during the Vietnam War, Dr. Boelling served as a physician at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, HA.
His first practice was in Astoria, Oregon from 1970-1986. He joined other health care professionals there to grow the size and scope of care at the Astoria Clinic, and also served at Columbia Memorial Hospital. He was well known during that time for his personable and compassionate care and his skill at diagnosing and treating illnesses. He also devoted himself toward improving emergency care, setting up the first Intensive Care Unit, as well as the Cardiac Care Unit at CMH. Dr. Boelling was the physician advisor for the ambulance service in Astoria, working closely with Medix owner David Dickson to expand its services, train paramedic staff, and advocate for increased funding and education at the state and local levels.
Mack and Barb were also very active in the community and made many close friends there. Mack spent lots of time with his kids, coached many of his son’s sports teams, helped to promote Astoria’s first youth soccer program, and volunteered at the newly formed recycling center. He also worked steadily over 12 years restoring his family’s Victorian home on Grand Avenue.
Dr. Boelling later moved his medical practice to Sun City, Arizona, specializing in geriatrics at Cigna Health Care and was twice honored with Physician of the Year awards. He and his wife retired and moved to Port Townsend, WA in 2000, where he was active in local efforts to ensure health care access for all. A long time member of the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, he invested many volunteer hours helping to build the new church sanctuary, constructed between 2008-2010. Mack’s impressively crafted nametag box is still in use and is a prime example of his woodworking skill and community-minded spirit.
Mack and his wife Barbara were among the founders of Quimper Village, a unique 55 + cohousing community in Port Townsend which broke ground in 2016 and continues to thrive. A steady presence on the Grounds and Maintenance Team, Mack contributed in many ways to Quimper Village’s success and spirit of cooperativism. From delivering the early morning newspaper, to taking his turn along with Barb to cook a community meal, to offering medical advice, and competing each week for the title of cribbage champion, Quimper Village gave Mack a sense of purpose and many wonderful friendships.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Mack at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend, WA. 2333 San Juan Ave. at 2:00 on June 29. Pie and coffee Reception to follow. All are invited!
Family and friends are invited to share memories of Mack and sign the online guestbook at www.bradley-kosec.com.
