George Geyerhahn, MD

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George Geyerhahn, M.D. August 01, 2008 Cape Elizabeth

GEORGE GEYERHAHN, M.D., 95

CAPE ELIZABETH--Born in Vienna, Austria, son of Siegfried and Marianne (Lowy) Geyerhahn, he graduated from the University of Vienna and University of Vienna Medical School, October 1938. He emigrated to the United States that year following Krystal Nacht to escape the persecution of the Holocaust. He reluctantly left behind, Siegfried, who was then imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp and his mother who awaited Siegfried's release. Tipped off by a former Nazi classmate to leave Austria immediately or risk imprisonment himself, his mother was also advised by a family friend that he emigrate without delay. With the assistance of several American citizens he had previously met in Austria, George left for the United States via Holland, arriving in New York City, December 1938 with only $25. While his sister, Lisa, was the first member of the immediate family to emigrate safely to America, his father was eventually released from Dachau so that his parents were reunited with their children in New York City. Despite this miraculous reunion, most of George's extended family perished in the Holocaust. George completed medical internships in New York City and Durham, North Carolina, and he completed his medical residency in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Arriving in Maine on December 7, 1941, he began his first medical practice in Lovell, ME. Upon receiving U.S. citizenship, he eagerly joined and served in the US Army Medical Corps and received an honorable discharge, November 1945, with rank of Captain. George always expressed his gratitude to the United States for saving he and his family and was greatly pleased to have the opportunity to serve his country in the military. He continued his medical practice in Portland, where he was well known for his numerous patients and 44 years of service at Maine Medical Center. It was difficult to go out with the Geyerhahn's in Portland or S. Portland without meeting someone that was a friend, patient or colleague.

Dr. Geyerhahn was on the staff's of Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Westbrook Community Hospital, and Barron Center; member of the American Medical Association, Maine Medical Association, Cumberland County Medical Association, American Society of Internal Medicine, and American College of Physicians; past secretary-treasurer and president of Maine Society of Medicine; member of Portland Kiwanis Club, where he set up Youth Employment Service (YES), which provided jobs for youth during summer school breaks; president of Portland Executive Club; and director of Viking Nursing Home for 16 years. Dr. Geyerhahn, or George, was best known by his friends as an avid skier and tennis player, skiing until the age of 84 and involved in the creation of Greater Portland Tennis Association in 1967. Following office hours during the week, Portland police always knew that Dr. Geyerhahn could be located playing tennis daily in Deering Oaks, though later in his career tennis matches were played daily at 5:00 A.M.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister, and is survived by his wife of nearly 39 years, Nona A. (Joy) Geyerhahn; two sons, George R. of Kennebunkport and Gordon T. of South Freeport; four grandchildren, Benjamin E. and his wife, Bianca of New York City, Jed R. of Burlington, MA; Nathan T. and his wife, Dana of Richmond, VA, and John Siegfried of South Freeport, as well as three great grandchildren: Viviennne and Grant of MA, and Anna Grace of VA.

Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Monday, August 4th at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5th at the funeral home. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland ME 04101 or Cape Elizabeth Rescue Unit, 2 Jordan Way, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.