Paul C. Cunnick, M.D.

Private funeral services for Dr. Paul C. Cunnick, 86, of Davenport, were held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church in Davenport. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery. Dr. Cunnick died on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Genesis Medical Center- East Campus in Davenport. Cunnick-Collins Mortuary and Cremation Service handled the arrangements. Paul Carrolton Cunnick was born on June 2, 1922, in Davenport, one of three sons, to Paul and Estelle (Strahm) Cunnick. He attended Pierce Elementary School, Sudlow Jr. High, and later graduated from Davenport High School. He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Ambrose College and graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1947. He completed his internship in Portland, OR, and his residency in surgery at Baltimore City Hospitals in a program affiliated with The University of Maryland and The Johns Hopkins University.Paul enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941 while a student at St. Ambrose College. He served as a Lieutenant and Chief Surgeon of a mobile Marine hospital unit in Korea assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He was later stationed at the naval hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. On June 21, 1949, he married Dr. Dorothy Jean Gildea in a private ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church, Davenport. The couple was introduced by their mothers while rolling bandages for the American Red Cross.Dr. Cunnick was the second physician in the Quad City Area recognized as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and worked as a surgeon on the staff at both St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for over 40 years. He was a founding member of the Reach to Recovery program, dedicated to aiding women with breast cancer. He also served as a member of the teaching staff of the University of Iowa.Paul was a member of the Iowa Academy of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery and International College of Surgeons. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the Iowa Medical Society, the Scott County Medical Society and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He served on the board of the American Cancer Society, and also served many years on the board of directors at Northwest Bank and Trust. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Davenport and, was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and Elder, and served on various committees of the church. He most especially enjoyed traveling across the country on his motorcycle with sidecar, and traveled extensively throughout the world. He loved canoeing and hiking in the North Woods, gardening, reading and spending time with his family.Surviving members of the family include his wife: Dr. Dorothy Gildea-Cunnick of Davenport; his son, Marcus P. (Mary) Cunnick of Davenport; a brother: Dr. Clemens (Gloria) Cunnick of McPherson, KS; his grandchildren, Mariah Pearl and Charles William Cunnick, both of Chicago; and several nieces and nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Paul C. Cunnick Memorial Fund at Northwest Bank, where a scholarship fund has been established to aid students entering the medical profession.