Ronald L. Gutberlet MD

Dr. Gutberlet completed his early studies at the Cathedral School and Loyola High School (Class of 1952). After graduating from Washington and Lee University in 1956, he received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1961. He completed his residency at the University of Maryland, which included time at Mercy. A fellowship in neonatology at Vanderbilt University followed. Dr. Gutberlet’s medical training also included service as a Captain in the United States Army in Okinawa, Japan from 1964 to 1966.

Dr. Gutberlet served with distinction as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Mercy Medical Center from 1984 to 2011. He was especially known for the virtues and values that Mercy holds most dear: compassion, excellence, commitment to mission, and education. At Mercy he was also Vice President of Utilization and Chair of the Medical Morals Committee. He joined the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1966 where he also served as Director of Neonatology and Interim Chairman of Pediatrics.

Dr. Gutberlet’s name became synonymous in Baltimore and Maryland with the growing specialty of Neonatal Intensive Care and with the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, earning him a prestigious list of honors, which include:

Achievement Award U.S. Army 6/16/1966 “Outstanding Performance in the Pediatric Service”

Infants Fight for Life 4/27/1985 “Dedication to Finding a Cause and Cure for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome”

Cobey Award from the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute 9/23/1989, “For Many Years of Dedication to Perinatal Health and SIDS”

Zachary Award from the Maryland Perinatal Association 4/2/1993 “Outstanding Contribution in the Perinatal Field”

Pediatrician of the Year Award from the AAP Maryland Chapter 11/20/1993 “Career has exemplified the ideals of pediatrics in service, advocacy, and contributions to pediatrics in Maryland”

G. Bowers Mansdorfer Lectureship May 1997 Neonatology in Maryland A 35 Year Potpourri

1998 Distinguished Maryland Health Professional Award March of Dimes Birth Defects

Center for Infant and Child Loss established “Ronald L. Gutberlet, M.D. Scholarship” July 2004

Upon his retirement as Chairman in 2011, the Sisters of Mercy and the Board of Trustees of Mercy Health Services expressed their gratitude for his leadership and service by renaming the Department of Pediatrics in his honor.

This healer and lover of God’s smallest wonders went out of his way every day to evoke the smiles of children (and their parents) with his colorful neckties, inspired watches, and treasured bouncy balls.

In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Dr. Gutberlet led a very active life as a beloved friend and family member, creatively dressed for all occasions. He hosted many holiday parties where his enthusiasm and costumes were often the star attraction. He served many years as the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 880 in Cockeysville, MD, fondly known by all his troops as DG.

He always enjoyed a trip to Vegas and spending time at the beach house in Fenwick. He was a die-hard supporter of local sports teams and took that competitive spirit to game tables where he loved to play bridge, Trivia, and the like, with family and friends. He made the most of his I-83 commute, and friends would often see him coming in his bright yellow Dodge Viper; on other days he took a lower profile in his little, fuel-balancing Honda Insight.

Ronald L. Gutberlet, M.D.; loving husband of Shirley D. Gutberlet; most awesome father of Ron, Ken, and Mark Gutberlet, and their chick pals Carol, Sandy, and Michelle; guardian of Amanda G. Charles; brother of Maria A. Baldwin, Charlie G. Caulk, Patricia G. Thomas, Terrance A. Gutberlet, Matthew J. Gutberlet, J. Paul Klein, and the late Loretta G. Cord, J. Charles Gutberlet, Jr., Suzannah G. Greene, and Stephen A. Gutberlet; proud grandpa of Luke, Mackenzie, and Jane Gutberlet.

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Saturday from 6 to 9PM with a vigil at 8PM and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the St. Joseph Church, 101 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD on Monday, March 5 at 10AM. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers and bouncy balls, contributions may be directed in Dr. Gutberlet’s memory to The Mansdorfer-Gutberlet Fund, Mercy Health Foundation, 301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. A guest register is available at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com