Legacy Project
Article by Archivist Br. Lawrence Stewart

December 3rd

Brother Richard Erwin Gilson, C.S.C.

Richard was born in Cleveland, OH, and graduated from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH. He joined the Brothers of Holy Cross and entered St. Joseph's Novitiate at Rolling Prairie, IN, in 1961. He then began undergraduate studies for two years at St. Edward's University in Austin, TX. He was attracted to a nursing career and then assigned to begin health care work at the priests' Holy Cross House at Notre Dame. He spent two years there and continued the work for a year at the Brothers' new infirmary, Dujarie House. Richard then began his nursing studies at the Holy Cross School of Nursing in South Bend, IN, and graduated as a registered nurse in 1970. He served both at Dujarie House and also St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend for 4 years and became the director of Dujarie House from 1972-1979. After a sabbatical, he returned as a full-time nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center for nearly 20 years.

Richard served thousands of patients and was remembered by his colleagues as being patient, quietly competent, punctual, and always cheerfully available, especially for extra duty. His knowledge and comforting presence were valued by his patients and co-workers.