George Gesman Still Provides Help For Alzheimer's Patients

George Gesman (1907 - 2002) was involved in many things in Huntsville during his career - banking, real estate, and insurance. He contributed to his community in many ways, including service on the first board of directors for the Twickenham Historical Preservation Commission. He was an active member of the Church of the Nativity.

But his most long-term contribution to our community may be his establishment of the Mary Elizabeth & George Gesman Alzheimer's Symposium Fund.

George Gesman adored his wife Mary Elizabeth. He took care of her as she slipped deeper and deeper into Alzheimer's. After she passed away in 1992, he established an endowed named fund to further advance education and awareness about this terrible disease. At his death, he made a generous bequest to the fund.

Endowed named funds are wonderful vehicles to provide long term support for a program, project, or cause you care about. The initial contribution is invested. Each year a portion of the earnings can be used and a portion is reinvested so that the fund can continue to grow. This fund has almost tripled in value, enabling it to accomplish more and more.

Donations can also help the fund grow. There have been many donations to the Gesman fund, some from Gesman family and friends but many from people who also lost loved ones to Alzheimer's.

Beginning in 1997, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association of Alabama, used a portion of the proceeds from this fund to present well-attended, highly-regarded educational conferences for family members, clinicians, and caregivers. Interestingly, the fund has received donations from some of the attendees of the conferences, including a nurse who made a monthly donation for several years.

Family member Carey Walker III recently contacted the Foundation and asked for information about the fund. He and his cousin Bob want to be intentional about honoring George Gesman and the generous and loving impulse that resulted in the establishment of the Mary Elizabeth & George Gesman Alzheimer's Symposium Fund. This family is passing on the meaningful values that transcend a lifetime and set an example for the generations to come.

This year, after careful consideration, family members asked that the Foundation…..

Resume the partnership with the Alzheimer's Association that was suspended during COVID and re-establish the annual conference beginning in 2023…..

Fund an initiative created at the Madison Hospital called Forget Me Knot….

Please contact Lynne Berry Vallely at the Huntsville Hospital Foundation if you would like more information about establishing an endowed named fund or supporting one of our existing funds.

Met with Carey Walker III (son of Carey Walker Jr.) and Bob Walker, his cousin (son of Dr. Buddy Walker), and Joshua Robert Walker, son of Walter Y. "Buddy" Walker, Jr.,

The first Dr. Carey Walker was the third doctor in Madison County.

Gesman on board of American Natsional Bank. Did real estate with Mary Elizabeth's brother Robert Newton Yarbrough, subdivisions.

Love doing Forget Me Knot - local. Might be able to come up with extra money out of their own pockets. George loved Nicky, his dog. Mary Elizabeth did too, esp when she was sick. Was a Bijon. Love incorporating therapy dogs.

At onset, Mary Elizabeth would park her car in the middle of California and Governors

Dr. Buddy died of Alzheimers

They will ask Rhett Murray who good speakers would be - want people to learn about the behavior, what it is, how it affects you, how to interact

Carey is getting me a letter George wrote to Carey II

One who did not attend is Walter Walker III, Dr. Buddy's son, who has a son Walter IV) with ProElectric, Inc.