Dr. Ernest Philp Guy

Ernest Philip Guy, age 96, died peacefully in his home on September 5, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Patty, and daughters Phyllis and Patricia, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ernie was the son of Rev. and Mrs. R. E. Guy of Jackson, Tennessee; he was the ‘middle of the pack’ and the last surviving sibling of their seven children.
After graduation from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, Ernie joined the Army Air Corp, becoming a flight instructor. Fulfillment of his lifelong dream of being a doctor began when he entered medical school at University of Tennessee followed by his residency at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He entered a general practice partnership with his brother-in-law in Henderson, Tennessee. Five years later, he decided to specialize in Anesthesia and was accepted at University of Iowa. When the Chairman of the Anesthesia department moved to chair the department at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Ernie was invited to join the new staff. He became Chairman of Anesthesia and Chief of Staff at the San Francisco General Hospital(SFGH) in his role as Associate Professor at UCSF, providing on-the-job training to residents in Anesthesia while managing the SFGH emergency services. During that time, he worked on various committees planning for and re-designing a new hospital, updating hospital policies, and helping hospital management through a tumultuous political time. He was often invited by the American Board of Anesthesiology to be an examiner, certifying new Anesthesiologist. After 18 years in San Francisco, Ernie joined the DeKalb Anesthesia Group in Decatur, Georgia, retiring in 1985 to make beautiful wood furniture and to pursue his love of gardening, creating a masterpiece in his own yard.
Always a devout Christian, Ernie was an ordained Deacon serving in churches as well as teaching Sunday School classes. He was a Trustee of the Golden Gate Baptist Seminary in Sausalito, California, working to expand the educational program and raising funds to ensure the future of the Seminary. He often challenged traditional approaches in an effort to expand the churches’ and the seminary’s thinking to keep them modern while maintaining essential Christian values.
Whether working in the university or private practice, or serving his religious community, among his many talents, teaching was possibly his greatest. Whether you were his student, his child, his nephew or niece, or a member of his Sunday School class, his methodology was to take the devil’s advocate position to challenge your thinking. This approach often frustrated the receiver but helped the student learn the lesson. He greeted each person with delight, an open heart, and an open mind. To say he will be missed is an under-statement; but, more importantly, he will be remembered.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to Winship Cancer Institute, 1365 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, Ga 30322. Services are open to family and friends, and will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 1:30 PM at A.S. Turner & Sons, 2773 North Decatur Rd,, Decatur, Ga 30033.