Eugene Carl Culbertson, MD, age 97, passed away from cancer on August 9, 2024, surrounded by loving family and friends. He had been a resident of Escondido California for over fifty years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, and his parents were: father Mark Somers Culbertson, Mother Nellie Smyth Culbertson, and stepmother Laura Jean Fugate Culbertson. He is survived by his four children: Mark (Carol Adee), Marcia (Ken Proctor) Malcolm (Letitia G. Culbertson), and Anthony Scott (Karla Welch). Surviving siblings are Charles Culbertson, John Culbertson, Sue Atwood, and Barry Culbertson. He also has eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Dr. Gene, as he was often called, was born and raised in Pennington Gap, Virginia, deep in the heart of Appalachia. In 1951 he married Mildred Williams of St. Charles, Virginia; he then attended Medical School at University of Virginia. He returned to Pennington Gap to practice Family Medicine. He was always proud of the many babies he had delivered in the County over the years, many at home! In 1967 he relocated his family to California, where he extended his training and pursued a career in psychiatry. Eugene was a very good and caring doctor whose skills were appreciated by all those who benefitted, whether it be in medicine or psychiatry.

Gene had a curious mind and a restless nature which resulted in untold hobbies and interests. He loved literature, music, the arts, and he travelled his whole life long, including his final decade. He played several musical instruments, including banjo, ukelele, flute, piano, accordion, and harmonica. He would build things and fabricate them from scratch, straight from his imagination, right until the final months of his life. Perhaps his biggest interest was aviation. He was an avid pilot and thrilled those close to him with numerous tales of his flying adventures, including several where the outcome was in serious question, until a crisis was narrowly avoided.

Dr. Gene can easiest be summarized by the phrase “larger than life.” All who knew him were impressed by his intelligence, knowledge, enthusiasm, humor, his stories and observations. He was indeed unique and impossible to forget.