David Roland Gann

David Roland Gann, 67, of York, PA passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022 at York Hospital.
Born in Rome, Georgia on August 17, 1954, he was the son of the late Hugh and Marguerite (Pentecost) Gann. He dedicated his life to his country in many capacities, including two decades of service in the Air National Guard 193rd Special Operations Wing, where he served as the Medical Group Commander for over 11 years and retired with the rank of Colonel. He also served overseas in operations Desert Storm (1991), Uphold Democracy (1994), Joint Guard (1997), Desert Thunder (1998), Enduring Freedom (2001), and Iraqi Freedom (2003, 2009).

Many in York County knew, recognized, and loved David through his 35-year career as a Physician Assistant at Shrewsbury and Spring Garden Family Practices as well as the York County VA Clinic, serving his fellow Veterans with great care and respect. Through these roles, David listened to, diagnosed, counseled, and brought healing to thousands of individuals and families.

David graduated with the 1972 class of Central York High School, where he met the love of his life, Cathy Lee Tarbert. They were married on September 22, 1973, beginning a 48-year adventure together. David enlisted as a medic in the United States Air Force in June of 1974. This began his lifelong mission of healing and saving the lives of those around him. First stationed in Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, Cathy and David enjoyed many trips to Glacier National Park. The following year, David received orders to serve as an EMT at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska. They made the 2,500-mile drive up the ALCAN Highway with their cat Angel in tow. Having discovered his passion for medicine, David returned to Pennsylvania and set out to become a Physician Assistant, graduating from Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA in 1982.

In 1981, David and Cathy began following Jesus as their Lord and Savior and became members of Living Word Community Church. Above the entrance and exit of the church were inscribed the directives: “Enter to Learn” and “Leave to Serve.” David took these instructions to heart and faithfully modeled them for his children and grandchildren.

David could often be found running along the Heritage Rail Trail or picking up supplies for his next DIY project. An enthusiastic student of history, David visited battlefields and cemeteries up and down the East coast. He felt most at peace in the outdoors, especially camping at Caledonia, Pine Grove Furnace, and Cowans Gap State Parks. He even braved taking his four children (and their friends) on multiple camping trips in their youth. David continued the camping tradition with his grandchildren, always professing that his greatest role was that of “Grandad.”

David is survived by his wife, Cathy Gann; his four children: Christa Gann, Patrick Gann, K. Alexander (Amanda) Gann, and Carolyn (Adam) Smith; his nine grandchildren: Eliana, Theo, Isaiah, Micah, Sophia, Audrey, Jonah, Gabriel, and Aidan; his former daughters-in-law: Cheryl Beierschmitt and Jennifer Gann; his four siblings: Jehue Gann, Melinda (Tess) Gann, Jacqueline (Michael) Anderson, and Kevin Gann. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Gary (Phyllis) Tarbert, and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews from the Gann, Lee, Pentecost, and Tarbert families. He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Shirley (Moody) Tarbert. David loved and cherished all his family and was deeply loved in return.

Even in his untimely passing from cardiac arrest due to massive pulmonary embolism, David continued his life’s work of healing and saving others. Through the Gift of Life donation of his kidneys, two individuals and their families were “ecstatic” to receive life-saving miracles.

A memorial service will be held at Living Word Community Church, 2530 Cape Horn Rd, Red Lion, PA 17356 on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., service starting at 3:00 p.m. All who knew, were impacted by, and loved David are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for memorial donations to the Gift of Life Donor Program at: https://www.donors1.org/give-to-gift-of-life/