Dr. George Thorngate, Sr., 97, of Pebble Beach, Calif., died Saturday, Jan. 5, 1991. Memorial services, performed by Dr. Wayne Rood, a cousin, were held January 7, at the Little Chapel by the Sea in Pacific Grove, Calif.
Dr. Thorngate was born October 14, 1893 in North Loup, Neb., the son of Rev. and Mrs. Charles Thorngate. He graduated from Milton College in 1916 and served as a captain in the infantry during World War I, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. He received his medical degree from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1923. He married Helen Shaw on August 10, 1920. Beginning in 1924, Dr. Thorngate and his family spent many years on the China mission field, establishing a hospital in Liuho for the Seventh Day Baptist denomination, until ultimately forced out by the Communists in 1950.
In 1952, Dr. Thorngate and his eldest son, George IV, established a medical practice in Monterey, Calif. They were later joined by his other three sons, David, Stephen and Philip, as each completed his medical specialty training. Dr. Thorngate Sr. retired from practice after he was 90 years old.
His wife, Helen, died March 1975. In June 1976, Dr. Thorngate married Sam-Kih-Min of Monterey, who survives him. Also surviving are four sons; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Katherine Baldridge of Albuquerque, N.M.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George Thorngate, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 6th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, October 14 - 15, 1918. Being seriously wounded, Lieutenant Thorngate displayed marked devotion to duty by refusing to go to the rear and remaining in command of his company until next day."
