marvingasster.jpg

Marvin Gasster, MD

Former Assistant Medical Director, Harbor UCLA Medical Center 

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Marvin passed away October 2, 2002, at the age of 79, after a long illness, in Torrance, CA. 

Born in Washington Heights, NY, on October 13, 1922, Marvin moved to Brookline, MA where he attended Brookline High School. He was a 1st Lieutenant from 1942-1945 in the US Army Air Force, 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 445th Bomb Group, 702nd Bomb Squadron. He piloted a B-24, and was stationed in Tibenham, England during WWII.  After the war he returned to college at Tufts University.  

Marvin received his MD from Tufts University Medical School in 1950, and performed his residency in Gastroenterology at Boston City Hospital and the Wadsworth VA Hospital in Westwood, CA. From 1955-1967 he was in private practice, then accepted the position of Assistant Medical Director at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center until his retirement in 1984. In addition to his duties as Assistant Medical Director, he was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at UCLA. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Marvin was passionate about the practice of clinical medicine, especially patient care and dedicated to the education of medical residents. His real joy as an MD was to care for his patients with compassion and dignity. Marvin’s community involvement included working at the Free Clinic, consulting for the County Youth Clinic and contributing to many charities. 

Marvin had a life long love of gardening and a special fondness for gladiolus, cacti and vegetables. He enjoyed music, fishing and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also loved sports, having been an avid tennis player and was a strong supporter of the UCLA Basketball program. 

Survived by his devoted wife Evelyn, his four children; Deborah, Samuel (Diane), Mark (Jill) and Lisa, and four grandchildren; Bryan, Jamie, David and Emily; his sisters Frances Nash and Ruth Gasster, and nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to:
The UCLA Center on Aging
(310)267-1854
10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 3119 
Los Angeles, CA 90095-6980


Crew of Marvin's Mad House (B-24), 445th, 702 Bomb Group, Tibenham, England.

  • 1 Ð Lt. Marvin Gasster, Pilot
  • 2 Ð Lt. Frank Framer, Co-Pilot
  • 3 Ð Flt. Officer Robert Leonard, Bombardier
  • 4 Ð Lt. Manual Panosion, Navigator
  • 5 Ð Richard Ramp, Upper Turret Gunner
  • 6 Ð Edward Gifft, Nose Turret Gunner
  • 7 Ð Ted Manville, Ball Turret Gunner
  • 8 Ð Glen Sabowin, Radio Operator
  • 9 Ð William Gillett, Tail Turret Gunner
  • 10 Ð Samuel B. Sampson, Engineer
B-24Crew

THERE IS NO DEATH
There is no Death,
What we call Death,
Is but a sudden change,
Because we know
Not where it leads --
Therefore it seemth strange.

There is no Death,
What we call Death,
Is but a restful sleep
They wake not soon
Who slumber so --
Therefore we mourn...we weep,

There is no Death,
What we call Death,
Is but surcease from strife
They do not die
who we call dead --
The go from life ... to Life!
-- William F. Rosenblum

Someday Never Comes
Creedence Clearwater Revival

First thing I remember was asking papa, why,
For there were many things I didn't know.
And daddy always smiled and took me by the hand,
Saying, someday you'll understand.

(chorus:)
Well, I'm here to tell you now, each and every mother's son,
That you better learn it fast, you better learn it young,
'Cause someday never comes.

Well, time and tears went by and I collected dust.
For there were many things I didn't know.
When daddy went away, he said, try to be a man,
And someday you'll understand.
Well, I'm here...

And then one day in April, I wasn't even there,
For there were many things I didn't know.
A son was born to me. Mama held his hand,
sayin' someday you'll understand.
Well, I'm here...

Think it was September, the year I went away,
For there were many things I didn't know.
And still I see him standing tryin' to be a man,
I said, someday you'll understand.

Well, I'm here to tell you now, each and every mother's son,
That you better learn it fast, you better learn it young,
'Cause someday never comes.


Related Links

445th Bomb Group

8th AAF, 2nd Air Division Heritage League

Tufts University

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Athletics


Publication List for Marvin Gasster, MD

  1. J.ÊD. Briggs, M.ÊGasster, and J.ÊA. Halsted. Nutritional problems after total gastrectomy. New York state journal of medicine, 57(2):223, 1957.
  2. M.ÊGasster. Chronic constipation. Med Times, 86(11):1403Ð1406, Nov 1958.
  3. M.ÊGasster. Clinical experience with L-Glutavite in aged patients with behavior problems and memory defects. Am. Geriatrics Soc., IX(5):370, May 1961.
  4. M.ÊGasster. The Banana in Geriatric and Low-Calorie Diets. Geriatrics, 18:782Ð786, Oct 1963.
  5. M.ÊGasster, R.ÊGolden, D.ÊWill, and S.ÊMellinkoff. Xanthomatosis involving the colon and small intestine. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 6(4):312Ð321, 1961.
  6. M.ÊGasster, J.ÊWestwater, and W.ÊMolle. Use of a defoaming agent in gastroscopy. Gastroenterology, 27(5):652, 1954.
  7. J.ÊHalsted, M.ÊGasster, and E.ÊDrenick. Absorption of radioactive vitamin B-12 after total gastrectomy. New England Journal of Medicine, 251(5):161Ð168, 1954.
  8. J.ÊHalsted, P.ÊLewis, and M.ÊGasster. Absorption of radioactive vitamin B-12 in the syndrome of megaloblastic anemia associated with intestinal stricture or anastomosis. The American journal of medicine, 20(1):42Ð52, 1956.
  9. J.ÊHalsted, P.ÊLewis, E.ÊHvolboll, M.ÊGasster, and M.ÊSwendseid. An evaluation of the fecal recovery method for determining intestinal absorption of cobalt 60-labeled vitamin B-12. The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine, 48(1):92, 1956.
  10. J.ÊHalsted, M.ÊSwendseid, M.ÊGasster, and P.ÊLewis. Absorption of radioactive vitamin B-12 in patients with disease of the small intestine: Relation to macrocytic anemia. Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 66:18, 1955.
  11. J.ÊHalsted, M.ÊSwendseid, M.ÊGasster, and P.ÊLewis. Effect of antibiotics on intestinal absorption of vitamin b12 in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The American Journal of Medicine, 19(2):297Ð298, 1955.
  12. J.ÊHalsted, M.ÊSwendseid, P.ÊLewis, and M.ÊGasster. Mechanisms involved in the development of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Gastroenterology, 30(1):21, 1956.
  13. N.ÊHastings, J.ÊHalsted, E.ÊWoodward, M.ÊGasster, and E.ÊHiscock. Subtotal gastric resection for benign peptic ulcer: A follow-up study of three hundred fifty-three patients. Archives of Surgery, 76(1):74, 1958.
  14. M.ÊSwendseid, M.ÊGasster, and J.ÊHalsted. Limits of absorption of orally administered vitamin B-12: effect of intrinsic factor sources. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 86(4):834, 1954.
  15. E.ÊWoodward, P.ÊDesser, and M.ÊGasster. Surgical treatment of the postgastrectomy dumping syndrome. Western journal of surgery, obstetrics, and gynecology, 63(9):567, 1955.

The page is dedacated to the memory of my father.
last up-date: 2012.02.20
-- Samuel Gasster --