Eduardo Gonzalez, M.D. passed away on December 3, 2023, at 5:00 a.m. He was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on May 12, 1934.
He was predeceased in death by his parents, Antonio and Obdulia Sanchez Gonzalez; and a daughter, Mildred Melicia Gonzalez; brother, Jorge Gonzalez, and sisters, Leticia Gonzalez and Yolanda Gonzalez.
Dr. Gonzalez attended the University of Puerto Rico, and the University of Alabama, and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in chemistry and biology. After graduating, he was employed by W.R. Grace Paper Company and worked in Peru in the paper industry for a year as a chemist. He later returned to Alabama, where he was married and taught math for two years in the Lawrence County School System. He then attended and graduated from the University of Zaragoza Medical School in Zaragoza, Spain. After graduating, he studied medicine at the University of Miami in Florida. He interned at Arecibo Hospital in Arecibo, Puerto Rico followed by a residency in OB-GYN at the University Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He then returned to Moulton, Alabama where he practiced OB-GYN for a short time, but later moved his practice to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama, where he remained for 20 years. After closing his office, he continued to practice as a gynecologist in Moulton part-time for a few years.
Professionally, Dr. Gonzalez was a member of the AMA, the Alabama Medical Association, and the Puerto Rico Medical Association. While in college, he was a member of the American Chemical Society. During the past years, he has been a member of the Baptist Medical-Dental Fellowship, which does volunteer work locally, nationally, and internationally. Through this organization, he was able to travel and work in Cuba. He was a member of Moulton Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, and had been active in mission work. He was also a U.S. Veteran, having served 8 years in the U.S. National Guard and Army Reserves.
Dr. Gonzalez is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bettye Gentry Gonzalez; daughter Elizabeth Leticia Burgtorf, and her husband, Allen Burgtorf; son Dr. Gentry Gonzalez, and his wife, Britney Gonzalez. Dr. Gonzalez is also survived by his three granddaughters, Elizabeth Hunter Burgtorf, Hannah Grace Burgtorf, and Gabriela Mae Gonzalez, grandson, Kaden Gann Gonzalez, as well as grandsons-in-law, Matt Plews and Alex Stuwe, and great-granddaughter, Maverick Hannah Stoker Burgtorf. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. German Gonzalez, 3 nephews, Dr. German Gonzalez, Jr., Dr. Omar Gonzalez, and Carlos Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one niece, Dr. Beatriz Yadira Gonzalez Van Oostram of Gainesville, Florida.
He enjoyed spending time at the beach, running, playing tennis, gardening, traveling, coconut ice cream, and being with his family.
A graveside service was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Moulton Memory Gardens, where Dr. Gonzalez will thereby rest.
