Dr. Posner

DR. GERALD E. POSNER

Opelousas-Funeral services for Dr. Gerald E. Posner will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2007, in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel with Rabbi Barry Weinstein officiating. Interment will follow in the Opelousas Jewish Cemetery.

Dr. Gerald E. Posner, well-known physician, died at home in Opelousas on June 30, 2007. He was born in Alexandria, LA, December 23, 1923 and grew up in Plaquemine, LA. At the age of nineteen, he received his Bachelor degree from LSU in Business Administration. He entered World War II as an enlisted man and attained the rank of captain by battlefield promotions. He commanded a rifle company in the 30th Infantry Division during three campaigns in the European theater. His remarkable service in combat earned him the Silver Star Medal twice, the Bronze Star Medal twice, the Presidential Citation, and the Fourragere from the government of Belgium for outstanding performance in the Belgian Bulge. In 2001, he was inducted into the Hall of Honor of LSU SALUTES, for Cadets of the Ole War Skule, an organization that honors former LSU military graduates.

Dr. Posner graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1951. He interned and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He entered private practice in Opelousas in 1955 with his late cousin Dr. David Weinstein. In 1958-59, he served as Chief of Staff at Opelousas General Hospital. He is credited with having introduced epidural anesthesia for childbirth to the OpelousasSt. Landry area in 1970 and delivered over 6,000 babies during a 26-year career. An avid student, he returned to Tulane in 1981-83 to complete a residency in Anesthesiology and subsequently practiced in that specialty for the next ten years. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Opelousas General Hospital in 1971 and served until 1993.

He has been honored with membership in the American Medical Association, the American Society of Anesthesiology, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology original member, St. Landry Parish Medical Society, Louisiana State Medical Society, and President of Tulane OB-GYN Society.

He was a founding director of the American Bank in 1958 and served on its board until 1990.

In 1987, Dr. Posner received the Humanitarian Award of the Opelousas Chamber of Commerce and in 2000 was honored as the Opelousas Chamber Person of the Year.

He and his wife, Isabel have been board members of the Opelousas Museum of Art. In 1997, they sponsored the Museums first major exhibit about World War II. Attendance exceeded 2000 persons. He has also served on the boards of the Jewish Childrens Regional Service, Opelousas Rotary Club and Cerebal Palsy Clinic. He was
ision leader for the United Givers campaign, board member of the Louisiana State Division of the American Cancer Society, benefactor of Henry S. Jacobs Camp and the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. He was a long-term leader at Temple Emanuel in Opelousas and Temple Shalom in Lafayette.

His survivors include his wife Isabel Peal Posner, children Dr. Donald and Connie Roos Posner of Shreveport; Lisa and Dr. Dore Binder of Baton Rouge; Dr. Mark and Linda Orlansky Posner of Baton Rouge; and Jennifer Posner and Montana Walsh of Dallas. He has eight grandchildren: Benjamin Gerald Posner of Baltimore, Alan Posner of Athens, GA; Carrie, Haley, Jason Binder of Baton Rouge; Joshua, Aaron, Rachel Posner of Baton Rouge. Also, brother-in-law, Edward Peal, sister-in-law, Mary Posner, niece Susan Posner Gilmore and nephew, Walter Posner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Miriam Hirsch Posner, brother, Harvey H. Posner and brother and sister-in-law, Alfred M. A.M. and Vivian Posner.

Visitation will be held on July 2nd at Sibille Funeral Home from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM. Honorary Pallbearers are friends Paul Arst and Julian Kurtz, cousins Morris and John Weinstein.
PIn lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations sent to Opelous

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Monday, July 2, 2007
9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Monday, July 2, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Cemetery

Jewish Cemetery of Opelousas
Opelousas, LA  70570