Los Angeles
County
Biographies
ROBERT JAMES GAWLEY, D.D.S.
Standing
in the forefront of the dental profession of the San Gabriel Valley, Dr. Robert
James Gawley has practiced in Alhambra since 1940, specializing in Orthodontia.
A
native of Canada, Dr. Gawley was born in Toronto, on December 13, 1896, the son
of James Miller Gawley, who was in the shipping business, and his wife, Ruth
Howland Gawley. Dr. Gawley is one of
seven children.
He
received his professional training in Canada, England and the United
States. His university preparation was
taken at Harbord Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Canada,
and at Khaki University in London, England.
On returning to Toronto after the First World War, he entered the Royal
College of Dental Surgeons at the University of Toronto, graduating with his
L.D.S. and D.D.S. degrees in 1923.
For
the next fifteen years, Dr. Gawley practiced general dentistry in northern
Ontario. In 1938 he continued his
studies at the University of Southern California, where he received his Master
of Dental Science degree in Orthodontics.
The subject of his thesis was “Orthodontic Diagnosis.”
Dr.
Gawley, after finishing his studies, commenced practice in Alhambra in
1940. In 1955 he moved to his own modern
building at 1212 East Main Street in Alhambra.
He
married Debra F. Armstrong on January 11, 1928, in Havelock, Ontario,
Canada. Mrs. Gawley is a past president
of the South Pasadena High School Parent-Teachers Association and past
counselor of the Tuesday Musicale Juniors of Pasadena. She was a Tri-Hi-Y advisor for four years and
a Job’s Daughter music director for three terms.
They
Gawley’s have two children. Their son, Dr. John R. J. Gawley, is his
father’s capable associate. He has been
practicing with his father since 1957.
Their pretty daughter, Evelyn M. R. Gawley (Lyn), is a sophomore at
Occidental College.
From
1917 through 1918, Dr. Gawley served as a second lieutenant with the Canadian
Forces and with the British Forces from 1918 through 1919. For his service in the First World War he was
awarded the Victory Medal and the Service Medal.
Dr.
Gawley and his family attend the San Marino Community Church. Dr. Gawley is an Elder, and both he and Mrs.
Gawley are members of the choir.
Since
1932 Dr. Gawley has been a Master Mason and is a past Master of Lorne Lodge,
No. 622, at Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. He is a past president of the Lions Club of
Alhambra. Dr. Gawley was a director,
second vice-president and first vice-president of the Oneonta Club of South
Pasadena and served as president of this organization from 1957 through 1958.
Dr.
Gawley has taken other leading roles in many worthwhile activities. He has held offices in various dental
societies, was a clinical instructor in Orthodontics at the University of
Southern California for fifteen years, and is a member of the Country Club of
Southern California School of Dentistry.
The doctor’s avocations are horticulture and golf.
Many
young people are grateful to Dr. Gawley for being able to face the world with
self-assurance, confidence, and a bright smile, thanks to his orthodontic
diagnosis and technical skill.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 505-506, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES