George Dawson Obituary

Dr.George Robert Dawson III FLORENCE, SC - Dr. George Robert Dawson III of Florence, South Carolina passed away on January 13, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 75 after a brief illness. Dr. Dawson was born on August 28, 1943 in Rock Hill, South Carolina and was the son of the late Dr. George Robert Dawson, Jr. and Ada Gilchrist Dawson. Dr. Dawson graduated from The Citadel in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went to the Medical University of South Carolina and received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1969. During his training, he met his beloved wife, Ingrid, on a transatlantic voyage. After graduating from medical school, they were married on June 19, 1969 in The Hague, The Netherlands. Following a honeymoon in Paris, France, Dr. Dawson and his wife moved to Augusta, Georgia where he completed a residency in General Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia in 1971. Following in the footstep of his father, Dr. Dawson continued his education in New York City, completing a six-month fellowship at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. In addition, he completed a three-year residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the New York University Medical Center in 1974. In 1975 Dr. Dawson received more specialized training in Hand Surgery during his fellowship at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. After completing his education, Dr. Dawson proudly served his country in the U.S. Army providing orthopaedic surgical care at Fort Polk, Louisiana and was honorably discharged with a rank of Major in 1977. Following his military service, Dr. Dawson joined his father in private practice at Florence Orthopaedic Associates. Later he was joined by his younger brother, Dr. Alfred Dawson, and he went on to serve patients in the Pee Dee for over thirty-five years. After retiring from Orthopedics, Dr. Dawson continued to serve his community as a wound care specialist at Carolinas Hospital System in Marion and Florence until his death. Dr. Dawson was a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon and member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association, the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association, and the South Carolina Medical Association. Dr. Dawson was a past president of the Florence Medical Society and a member of the Florence Rotary Club for two decades and a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Dawson played an integral role in serving his community at the Children's Rehabilitative Center, volunteering weekly for over thirty years. Dr. Dawson is survived by the love of his life and wife of over forty-nine years, Ingrid Eriks Dawson, and his beloved children: Stephanie Dawson (Robert) Jordan; George Robert (Leigh) Dawson IV; Emily Ingrid Dawson (Eric) Myers, and Dr. Kristina Dawson (David) Snipes; and his cherished grandchildren: Elisabeth Hamilton Jordan (11), Robert Dawson Jordan (9), Charles "Charlie" Hope Jordan (3), Anna Holland Dawson (8), George Robert Dawson V (6), Sarah Helen Dawson (3), Jackson Eric Myers (5), Dawson Michael Myers (3), and Katherine "Kate" Ann Snipes (7 months). He is also survived by three loving siblings; Ada Muriel (Felix) Nepveux, Dr. Alfred Gilchrist (Carol) Dawson, Dr. Elizabeth Dawson (Thomas) Griffin. When Dr. Dawson was not treating patients, he was a great adventurer and loved snow skiing, hunting, scuba diving, waterskiing, tennis, sailing, surfing, and mountain-climbing. Dr. Dawson was devoted to his family. He enjoyed a life of traveling the globe with his wife and children; teaching his seventeen nieces and nephews, and sparking joy in his nine grandchildren. "Big George" was larger than life and loved by all. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Florence, SC, with the burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Waters-Powell Funeral Home located at 400 S. Dargan Street, Florence, S.C. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army or a charity of your choice. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston