Judith Faye Gaiser Obituary (2006)

Judith Gaiser was born in Dayton Ohio on September 12, 1938. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 1960 with a degree in Physical Therapy. She was a staff physical therapist at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC until 1963 when she left to join the hospital ship HOPE. She spent a year on its staff in Ecuador. She returned to Washington in 1965 and became Director of Rehabilitation until 1995. She was an avid traveler and a wonderful ambassador for her profession, traveling to Europe, Russia, Afghanistan and Israel as a volunteer physical therapist. She was later employed by the Al Hussein Society School for Handicapped Children in Amman, Jordan as Director of Rehabilitation. She gave numerous lectures throughout the world. She was Vice Chairman on the DC Board of Physical Therapy for 18 years and was the recipient of the 1998 Mentorship Award from the American Physical Therapy Association. Judy was diagnosed with ALS in 2004 and passed away on June 6, 2006 at Georgetown University Hospital. Predeceased by her parents, Paul and Pauline Gaiser, sister and brother in law, Aviva and William Schoo. Survived by nieces Cynthia (Mark) Levy, Stephanie (Craig) King, nephew Paul (Anne) Schoo, great nieces and nephews Chad, Erin, Alexandra, and Adam, countless friends around the world. Graveside services in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, June 8, 11 a.m. at the New Tifereth Israel Cemetery, with Rabbi Michael Ungar and Cantor Jack Chomsky officiating. A memorial service will take place in Washington within 2-3 weeks. The date will be announced soon. Memorials preferred to Project HOPE.