By Rebecca Goodman
Enquirer staff writer

BRIDGETOWN - Dr. Robert T. Gallagher, an orthopedic surgeon who practiced in Clermont, Dearborn and Hamilton counties for 40 years, died Aug. 27 of unspecified dementia-related causes at Hillebrand Nursing Center, where he had resided for the past six weeks.

The Green Township resident was 83.

"He came from meager beginnings and worked hard and became a doctor, which led him to a successful life," said his son, Brian, of Mack.

Born in Gary, Ind., in 1921, Dr. Gallagher spent his childhood in Akron. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Kent State University and a medical degree from Saint Louis University, he served an internship at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown and general surgery residencies in adult orthopedics at Crile Veterans Hospital in Parma Heights, Ohio, and Western Reserve University. He trained in children's orthopedics at Akron Children's Hospital.

Dr. Gallagher served in the Army from 1943 to 1949, including at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco; University Hospital in Vienna, Austria; and as commanding officer of the general dispensary in Bavaria.

"He was a good orthopedic surgeon," his son said. "He did a lot of charity work for the sick and indigent and served the Western Hills community as a physician" for decades.

Dr. Gallagher was on staff at hospitals including Good Samaritan, St. Mary, St. Francis, St. George, Providence, Dearborn County and Mercy Franciscan Western Hills.

"He had a thousand activities," his son said. "He played golf, he sailed, he skied up until his mid-70s. He learned to skindive at age 67. He was a very active individual - always out bike riding or doing something."

Dr. Gallagher wrestled and ran track in college and was a member of the U.S. track team while stationed in Europe. He also sailed, golfed and had a pilot license with instrument rating and was a member of the Flying Physicians.

He was team physician for several local schools, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Cincinnati Orthopedic Club, Ohio State Orthopedic Club, Tri-State Orthopedics, the American College of Surgeons, the Academy of Orthopedics, Western Hills Country Club and the Imperial Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

In addition to his son, survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dora Louise Strong Gallagher; six other sons, Raymond of North Bend, William of Sandusky, John of Bridgetown, Kevin of Hawthorn Woods, Ill., Robert of West Chester Township, and Patrick of Anderson Township; three daughters, Mary Moran of Mount Adams, Susan Heitbrink of Coralville, Iowa; and Cheryl Haas of Bridgetown; a sister, Gertrude Kearney of Pahrump, Nev.; 28 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was at St. Joseph (new) Cemetery.

Memorials: Eldermount Adult Day Program, 401 Farrell Court, Cincinnati, OH 45233.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com