Stephen Flack Gunther, MD

GUNTHER, STEPHEN FLACK   Dr. Stephen F. Gunther passed away in a Covid ICU on December 26, 2020, in Washington, D.C. He was born in Troy, New York, on October 31, 1941, to Carol & Walter A. Gunther, M.D. He graduated from the Albany Academy in 1959 and Yale College in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart and true love, Beverly Elizabeth Burke, in 1962. Dr. Gunther graduated from Albany Medical College with AOA honors, and then completed the Yale Orthopedic Residency Program under the direction of the renowned orthopedic chairman, Dr. Wayne Southwick. He then joined the US Navy Medical Corps and moved to Washington, D.C., where he was stationed at the former Bethesda Naval Hospital and attained the rank of Commander during the Vietnam War. He left active duty in 1975 in order to begin a new position as Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (WHC), where he continued to practice through 2019. He was a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Uniformed Services Medical School, George Washington University School of Medicine, and Georgetown University School of Medicine.  Under his leadership and Beverly’s gracious mentorship, the WHC Orthopedic Department flourished, and many appreciative students and residents progressed to illustrious academic careers.  He also treated patients at Children’s National Hospital and the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Gunther had a great passion for teaching, collaborating, and patient-centered care. He won many teaching awards from residents and peers including the prestigious Gold-Headed Cane award at WHC in 2006 for his lifetime achievements in medicine. He was an accomplished orthopedic scholar including national award-winning research on median nerve micro-anatomy.  Dr. Gunther was President of the Eastern Orthopedic Association, Sierra Cascade Trauma Society, and the DC Hand Society. He served as Chairman-Secretary of the Twentieth Century Orthopedic Association.  Dr. Gunther was elected as a member of the Cosmos Club. Dr. Gunther loved the outdoors, and he especially relished skiing, hiking, biking, rollerblading, golf, and ice skating with his family and friends. He enjoyed serving as camp doctor over a 50-year period at Camp Pasquaney in rural New Hampshire.  He was one of the leaders of the GW Ortho Plaster Blasters softball team for 25 years. Dr. Gunther, also known as “Red,” “Big Red,” and “Gunny,” will also be remembered for his many athletic feats and awards. These include his illustrious collegiate hockey career at Yale and semi-pro career for the Washington Chiefs, coaching hockey, winning US Speedskating National Championships, completing over 2 million pushups, and winning five club championships in golf at the Chevy Chase Club. He was a loving family man, a loyal and generous friend, and a most talented, highly skilled, and compassionate doctor.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Beverly Burke Gunther; five children, Gwen Gunther, Dr. Stephen B. (and Dana) Gunther, Elizabeth Gunther Muller, Matthew (and Kristin) Gunther, Cristin Gunther (and James) Head; and ten grandchildren, Nathaniel, Katherine, Madeline, Samuel, Burke, Robert, Margaret, George, Campbell, and Bode. Dr. Gunther is also survived by his sister, Nancy Gunther Sheals and his brother, Dr. Andrew Gunther. 

Due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic and consultation with our priest, the funeral rites and memorial service will be observed when it is safe to do so. In time we can celebrate the life and eternal life of Dr. Stephen Gunther, and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either: 

(1) Camp Pasquaney to support Renovation of the Infirmary (Camp Pasquaney office, 10315 Kensington Parkway, Suite 207, Kensington, MD 20895)

(2) MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital to support the Adaptive Sports Program (MedStar NationalRehabilitation Hospital, Attn: Robert Marsteller, 102 Irving St NW, Washington DC, 20010)