Note: This message was originally sent on September 25, 2019
This past Monday, our alumni Chaplain, Steve Hess along with colleagues throughout the University, hosted Dr. Frank Pavel ‘46 along with three of his daughters, for the final stage of their self-proclaimed “roots tour”. Dr. Pavel’s daughters organized for months to plan this trip – culminating at GU because he had always wanted to show his daughters where he went to college. The tour took them to various towns and memories – throughout the west - that had influenced Dr. Pavel. While at GU, they visited many spots around campus and met with colleagues to learn about their school/programs. The day then culminated with some time with Dr. McCulloh prior to a reception and dinner hosted by our Jesuits at Della Strada.
Frank is a retired oral surgeon. After graduating from GU in 1946 he went on to receive his dental degree from University of Maryland (’48) and completed residencies at Johns Hopkins University and the Mayo Clinic. He is the founder of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation of San Diego, an organization with helps provide the correction of facial deformity to underprivileged individuals in the U.S. and Mexico. Among many special honors and awards, Dr. Pavel has been awarded Knight Commander with Star, Papal Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Lieutenancy of the U.S. and the 1986 GU DAMA! He has lived the values of our mission in his personal and professional life in very distinct ways.
Frank and his wife, Marilyn, who passed away just a few months ago, have supported GU annually, for many decades. He credits Gonzaga for instilling values in him that have guided his life. He and his family were a bright light, unselfishly sharing with everyone they met on Monday, the gift that is family, the importance of revisiting memories and the significance this special place, that is GU, has played in their lives.
Enjoy this final image we captured as the Pavel’s headed out Monday evening……priceless.