Robert Riddick Gatling, M.D., 91, died Monday, December 8, 2008 in his home.
A native of Gates County, Gatling was a graduate of Gates High School before continuing his education at Wake Forest University and Tulane University Medical School.
A veteran of World War II where he saw active duty, Gatling served as a U.S. Navy Medical Officer on both the USS Corry and USS Topeka, reaching the rank of Lt. Commander.
A longtime resident of Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Gatling retired in 1992 from the Veterans Administration’s Medical Center where he served as Chief Pathologist and Director of Lab Services.
He also served as an associate professor of pathology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
He was a communicant of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral.
Survivors include his sons, Robert Gatling of Glen Dale, MD and Paul Gatling of Denver, CO; daughters, Patricia McAleer of Garner, Laura Cavett of Oxford, MS and Alexa Haik of Jackson, MS; one sister, Nina Parker of Gatesville; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated in St. Andrews Episcopal in Jackson, MS. Burial services will be held at a later time in the Gatesville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert R. Gatling M.D. Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College.