Trine mourns passing of Dr. Gemlick

Trine University extends its deepest sympathy to the family and colleagues of Brett Gemlick, M.D., as it mourns the longtime friend of the university along with many in the community.

Dr. Gemlick died Wednesday, Oct. 9, at age 50.

Dr. Gemlick was a member of Trine University’s Health Sciences Advisory Board, assisting in accreditation review on topics related to orthopedics, and had been the university’s orthopedic surgeon since 2000. He served as medical director of Trine’s Master of Physician Studies program in 2018 and was on the university’s Board of Trustees from 2004-2008.

He was a lead donor toward the SportONE/Parkview softball field on the Trine University campus, and threw the first pitch at the dedication of that facility.

A Fort Wayne native, Dr. Gemlick first became interested in orthopedic medicine as a freshman at Snider High School, when he went to work with his neighbor, an orthopaedic surgeon for Ortho NorthEast. He graduated first in his medical school class from The Ohio State University and joined Ortho NorthEast in 2000 as a specialist in sports medicine.

He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Scholastic Honorary Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Indiana State Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Fort Wayne Orthopaedic Society and American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Gemlick also won the Academic Excellence Award for Ideal Characteristics of a Physician.

In 2018, Dr. Gemlick received the “Man of the Year” honor from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society after he raised a record $163,000 for the nonprofit organization.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Beth, and their three children, Connor, Emma and Graham.

Viewing is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home-Pine Valley, 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. The funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 14318 Lima Road, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be made to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.