Dr. Albert Edward Gunn Jr.

Born on October 31, 1933, in Port Washington, New York, to Albert Edward Gunn, Sr. and Esther Frances Gunn (née Williams), Albert maintained a lifelong affection for his New York roots. He attended La Salle Military Academy, where he lettered in football, graduated with distinction and, in 1951, received the Gold Key Award as the Highest Ranking Cadet Officer.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Fordham College in 1955 and later received his LL.B. from Fordham Law School. After his admission to the New York Bar, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He served on active duty until 1961 and was promoted to Captain in 1962 while continuing his service in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until 1975.

Following Albert’s lifelong determination to put himself at the service of his fellow man, he ultimately decided to pursue the medical profession. In 1967, he earned his MB BCh BAO from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He completed his internship at Montefiore Hospital in New York City (1967–1968) and his residency in Internal Medicine at Roosevelt Hospital (1968–1970). He later served as a trainee at the University of Rochester (1970–1972) in Neurology.

From 1972 to 1974, he served as Assistant Director of Government Relations for the American Medical Association in Washington, DC, before becoming Medical Director for Geriatric Services in Suffolk County, New York (1974–1975).

In 1975, Albert was recruited to MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he played a pivotal role in establishing its Rehabilitation Center and authored the book Cancer Rehabilitation. This period of his career also saw him realize his commitment to medical education when he received in 1976 a joint appointment as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston where was promoted to Associate Professor in 1980 culminating in his appointment as a Professor (2000-2008). He also served, beginning in 2001, as Professor of Management and Policy Sciences at the UT Houston School of Public Health. This dedication to the education of the medical profession also extended to the role he undertook in 1979 as an Associate Dean for Admissions at UT Medical School in Houston, one in which he persevered for almost 30 years. Finally at the national level, his role in medical education extended to his membership of the Board of Regents of the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (1983–1987) where he eventually served as Chairman of the Board.

Throughout his distinguished career, he also held numerous leadership positions. He served as Chief of the Rehabilitation Section at MD Anderson Cancer Center (1988–1993) and Chief of the Geriatrics Section (1993–2000). From 1998 to 2000, he was Deputy Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine. He also served as President of the Houston Academy of Medicine (1990), and Special Advisor to the President of UT Houston (2006–2008).

Of all his accomplishments, Albert treasured his family and his Catholic faith above all. His wife, children, and faith were the cornerstone of his life and his greatest pride.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Mare Gunn (née Jacoby); his children, Albert Edward Gunn (Catherine Amorella), Emily Williams Gunn Hebert (Christopher Hebert), Andrew Robert Gunn (Erica Burbank), Clare Margaret Gunn Berchelmann (James Berchelmann), Catherine Ann Butler Gunn, and Philip David Gunn; and his cherished grandchildren, Charlotte Gunn, Madeleine Hebert, Gwyneth Gunn, Olivia Berchelmann, Jude Hebert, Gabriella Hebert, Heidi Berchelmann, Ethan Berchelmann, and Theodore John Gunn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Edward Gunn, Sr. and Esther Frances Gunn (née Williams).

A visitation and rosary will be held on February 23rd. 2026 (5:00 - 7:00 PM), followed by a funeral service on February 24th, 2026 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, to celebrate Albert Edward Gunn Jr.’s remarkable life. Friends and family are invited to attend and share their memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that a chaplet of Divine Mercy be said for the repose of his soul.

Albert was a titan of a man who lived his life to the full, with purpose and conviction. He leaves a lasting legacy in his family, his faith, and his profession.