Obituary for Gary Stephen Nettleton
Dr. Gary Stephen Nettleton, "Steve" to his family and friends, died on April 2nd, 2024, at the age of 77.
Steve was born on May 7th, 1946, and spent his early years in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He graduated with honors from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, then earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota as a USPHS scholar. For a two year hiatus during this period, he worked as a surgical technician in Elkhart, Indiana. After completing graduate school, he accepted a position with the Department of Anatomy at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, where he rose through the ranks to Professor; he retired in 2012 as Professor Emeritus.
Steve’s career centered around teaching both anatomy and embryology to medical, dental and graduate students; research in histochemistry; medical school and departmental administration; and editing a science journal.
Education was his passion. He loved his interactions with his students and he developed various learning resources for them. For his efforts in this capacity, he was awarded the Golden Apple Award by the first year class 11 times and the Calhoon Teaching award by the graduating class five times. His efforts were acknowledged by the University with the President’s Distinguished Teaching Award and by the Medical School with the Master Educator-Distinguished Educator Award. He also mentored 14 graduate students, all of whom later graduated from Medical School.
Steve’s research interests included histochemistry, biological staining mechanisms and gross anatomy; he published many papers in these fields.
In the arena of administration, Steve served at both the departmental and Medical School levels. He served for 16 years as Vice Chair of the Department, four years as Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs and seven years as Associate Dean for Medical School Admissions and Students. He received the President’s Outstanding Performance Award for Administration for his work in the Dean’s office, the second of two President’s Awards in different areas of service.
Steve began his scientific editing career as an Editorial Assistant, then Assistant Editor of Stain Technology. In 1988, he was appointed Editor in Chief of the successor journal, Biotechnic & Histochemistry, and continued in this capacity until just prior to his passing. In all, he edited the journal in some capacity for more than 40 years.
Steve was a member of several professional societies, including Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Histochemical Society, Council of Science Editors, American Association of Anatomists, American Association of Clinical Anatomists, Sigma Xi, and the Biological Stain Commission. The Biological Stain Commission sponsors the journal Steve edited. He served the Stain Commission as a Member-Consultant, Trustee, Vice President and President. In all, he was a member for more than 40 years.
Steve’s interests and concerns extended beyond science. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren for more than 40 years. Steve was a stickler for proper English grammar, loved to play with words and rarely met a pun that he did not like. He enjoyed reading, especially during his later years, and he accumulated a substantial library of historical and other nonfiction literature.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, W. Warner and Mildred Nettleton. He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Claire Meena-Leist; a daughter, Sarah Cleary (Ryan); a son, Carl Nettleton (Dana) and a stepson, Sam Leist (Kelly Blair); four grandchildren, Jack, Katie, Quinn Cleary and LeAnn Nettleton (a.k.a. “Bugaroo”); and a brother, Jim Nettleton (Carol), all of whom he loved beyond measure.
Steve was a good man at heart. He was compassionate and good natured, and was an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather. His death leaves a void that cannot be filled. The family thanks the many physicians and other health care workers who cared for him during his illness.
Visitation will be 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, May 10th, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Steve’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11th, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2233 Woodbourne Avenue.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Wayside Christian Mission, Home of the Innocents, Middlebury Church of the Brethren (507 Bristol Avenue, Middlebury, IN 46540), or the donor's charity of choice.
Steve was born on May 7th, 1946, and spent his early years in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He graduated with honors from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, then earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota as a USPHS scholar. For a two year hiatus during this period, he worked as a surgical technician in Elkhart, Indiana. After completing graduate school, he accepted a position with the Department of Anatomy at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, where he rose through the ranks to Professor; he retired in 2012 as Professor Emeritus.
Steve’s career centered around teaching both anatomy and embryology to medical, dental and graduate students; research in histochemistry; medical school and departmental administration; and editing a science journal.
Education was his passion. He loved his interactions with his students and he developed various learning resources for them. For his efforts in this capacity, he was awarded the Golden Apple Award by the first year class 11 times and the Calhoon Teaching award by the graduating class five times. His efforts were acknowledged by the University with the President’s Distinguished Teaching Award and by the Medical School with the Master Educator-Distinguished Educator Award. He also mentored 14 graduate students, all of whom later graduated from Medical School.
Steve’s research interests included histochemistry, biological staining mechanisms and gross anatomy; he published many papers in these fields.
In the arena of administration, Steve served at both the departmental and Medical School levels. He served for 16 years as Vice Chair of the Department, four years as Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs and seven years as Associate Dean for Medical School Admissions and Students. He received the President’s Outstanding Performance Award for Administration for his work in the Dean’s office, the second of two President’s Awards in different areas of service.
Steve began his scientific editing career as an Editorial Assistant, then Assistant Editor of Stain Technology. In 1988, he was appointed Editor in Chief of the successor journal, Biotechnic & Histochemistry, and continued in this capacity until just prior to his passing. In all, he edited the journal in some capacity for more than 40 years.
Steve was a member of several professional societies, including Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Histochemical Society, Council of Science Editors, American Association of Anatomists, American Association of Clinical Anatomists, Sigma Xi, and the Biological Stain Commission. The Biological Stain Commission sponsors the journal Steve edited. He served the Stain Commission as a Member-Consultant, Trustee, Vice President and President. In all, he was a member for more than 40 years.
Steve’s interests and concerns extended beyond science. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren for more than 40 years. Steve was a stickler for proper English grammar, loved to play with words and rarely met a pun that he did not like. He enjoyed reading, especially during his later years, and he accumulated a substantial library of historical and other nonfiction literature.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, W. Warner and Mildred Nettleton. He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Claire Meena-Leist; a daughter, Sarah Cleary (Ryan); a son, Carl Nettleton (Dana) and a stepson, Sam Leist (Kelly Blair); four grandchildren, Jack, Katie, Quinn Cleary and LeAnn Nettleton (a.k.a. “Bugaroo”); and a brother, Jim Nettleton (Carol), all of whom he loved beyond measure.
Steve was a good man at heart. He was compassionate and good natured, and was an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather. His death leaves a void that cannot be filled. The family thanks the many physicians and other health care workers who cared for him during his illness.
Visitation will be 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, May 10th, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Steve’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11th, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2233 Woodbourne Avenue.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Wayside Christian Mission, Home of the Innocents, Middlebury Church of the Brethren (507 Bristol Avenue, Middlebury, IN 46540), or the donor's charity of choice.