Charles Lawrence Lutcher

Charles Lawrence (“Larry”) Lutcher, M.D. (88), husband of Priscilla Ann Gilman, M.D., died on October 25, 2022, in Evans, GA. Larry was born September 21, 1934, in Baker, Oregon, to Lawrence J. and Anita Hughes Lutcher. He spent his early childhood days in a small, mountain cabin in Unionville, Montana, where he, his parents, and sister (Suzanne Colgan) lived before relocating to Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

Larry enjoyed his time at McLoughlin High School, where he played basketball and football. He excelled as a sprinter and broad jumper for the track team. He attended Whitman College, in Walla Walla, Washington, from 1953 to 1957. He was a halfback for the college’s short-lived (1950’s) football team. He also served as President of the Associated Students and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduating from Whitman College, he attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He and Jo Anne Milligan were married in 1960. Dr. Lutcher went on to complete his internship and residency at St. Louis City Hospital, followed by a Hematology Fellowship at the University of Oregon. He worked at the University of Oregon School of Medicine until 1967, then served in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, WA working in the on-base hospital, caring for wounded soldiers, veterans, and their families.

Larry moved his family to Georgia in 1970 and began his post-military career as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). Dr. Lutcher was an accomplished and compassionate physician, who provided care for patients who suffered from Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His proudest work accomplishments included caring for the longest living Hemophilia patient and being selected as one of the nation’s leading medical specialists. He was Director of Hematology at the Augusta VAH from 1974-1978, Director of the MCG Hematology/Oncology Department from 1977 to 1996, Director of MCHB (NIH) Funded Comprehensive Hemophilia Program, beginning in 1976, and longtime Associate Director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. After working for thirty years at the Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Lutcher transitioned to a life of retirement and enjoyed family, the outdoors, golf, reading, studying history, part-time consulting jobs, and vacation trips to eastern Oregon and Ireland. He also was an active alum and supporter of Whitman College. He was a founding member of the Planned Giving Committee, where he served for twenty years.

Dr. Lutcher is survived by his wife, Priscilla Gilman; three children, Larry Lutcher (Roberta), Shawna Todd (Glenn), Loren Lutcher (Sandra); five grandchildren, Dillon Lutcher, William Lutcher (Tiffany), Brittany Jones (Jonathan), Grace Todd, Lauren Todd, and one great granddaughter, Emma Jones.

A memorial service at Covenant Presbyterian Church will be held on Monday, October 31, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will take place, at a later date, in Walla Walla, Washington.

Donations in Larry Lutcher’s honor can be made to: Director of Alumni Relations, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362.