Geary L. Stonesifer Jr. ’55

Geary, who established the surgery department at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, died Nov. 28, 2000, in Owings Mills, Md., of a blood clot. Until he retired in 1988 because of ill health, he had had a brilliant career as a surgeon in private practice and as the first chief of surgery at GBMC.

Geary was reared in Ruxton, Md. At Princeton he majored in biology and was active in IAA sports. He graduated in 1954 under a special three-year program. He then earned his MD from Johns Hopkins. He interned at Hopkins and completed a residency under Alfred Blalock, best known for his heart operation that cured "blue babies" in the 1940s. Geary "headed a cadre of surgeons who flourished under his tutelage and example," said a colleague. "He was a product of the traditions and precepts of Halstead and Osler at Hopkins." Geary also served as commander of an Air Force Reserve unit at Andrews Air Force Base.

Early in his youth Geary developed a lifelong interest in the piano. He studied at the Peabody Conservatory and became a concert-level pianist. He also enjoyed traveling.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Ann Carter Kennedy; son Geary III, daughter Ann L. Johnson, and a grandson.

The Class of 1955