“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
–A. A. Milne

We said goodbye to B. Gregory Isenhart, aka Clyde A. Isenhart, in Davis on 19 July 2012. He was predeceased by his life partner, Bert W. Pratt in 2001, by his parents, Maria T. and Clyde T. Isenhart, by his brothers John B. and Howard C. Isenhart and by his sister Katherine Merkl (nee Isenhart).

He is survived by his long-time friends, Allen, Joe, Dave, Buzz, the Burgers, Mark…, by his much-loved niece, Laurel, and his nieces and nephews in Colorado and Texas. He will be long remembered by the many people lucky enough to know him, as well as by the wild turkeys of Davis Cemetery, which he could never get enough of—nor they he.

Greg was born in Denver, CO on 3 October 1924. He graduated Holy Family High School (Denver) in ‘42 and immediately joined the Alexian Brothers, completing his vows in ’50. [And now you know what the “B.” stood for: Brother Gregory.] In 1952 he graduated from their Chicago nursing school, becoming an Illinois. R.N. in ’54. Soon thereafter, he was administering Boys Town Clinic, Boys Town, Nebraska

A few years later, he returned to A.B. Hospital as director of nursing, rising to the post of administrator during which time he was charged with building a new hospital in Elk Grove, Il. Upon opening in May 1966, he became St. Alexius Hospital’s first administrator. Once the hospital was established, he returned to Boys Town Clinic to oversee emergency & out-patient services. A year later, he was sent to supervise A.B.H., San Jose, CA until 1973, when he became the first Provincial Archivist, Alexian Bros. of America (Chicago).

Greg left the order and moved to Davis in 1975 to be with Bert, whom he’d met in Chicago. He took a job with Davis Community Hospital, once again moving up to administrator. In the late ‘70s he was active in Dignity Sacramento (St. Francis of Assisi), campaigning for domestic partner benefits, and providing hospice care to AIDs patients. At the turn of the century, he chaired the Alexian Brothers Alumni Assoc. and published its Alomner II newsletter for several years. Ultimately, he dedicated himself to being his gentle self.

At his request there will be no service. Greg will be scattered in private beside Bert. All who loved him will share a very long, hard goodbye, indeed.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
–A. A. Milne

We said goodbye to B. Gregory Isenhart, aka Clyde A. Isenhart, in Davis on 19 July 2012. He was predeceased by his life partner of 28 years, Bert W. Pratt in 2001, and friend Clyde C. Baker, Jr. (2007).

He is survived by his long-time friends, Allen, Joe, Dave, Buzz, the Burgers, Mark…, and by his much-loved niece, Laurel. He will be long remembered by the many people lucky enough to know him, as well as by the wild turkeys of Davis Cemetery, which he could never get enough of—nor they he.

Greg was born in Denver, CO on 3 October 1924, graduated Holy Family High School in ’42, and immediately joined the Alexian Brothers. [And now you know what the “B.” stood for: Brother Gregory.] He graduated from their nursing school and became an Illinois. R.N. in ’54. He was soon administering Boys Town Clinic, Boys Town, Nebraska

When he returned to A.B. Hospital he rose to the post of administrator during which time he was charged with building a new hospital in Elk Grove, Il. Upon opening in May ‘66, he became St. Alexius Hospital’s first administrator. Once the hospital was established, he returned to Boys Town Clinic. Next he supervised A.B. Hospital, San Jose, before becoming the first Provincial Archivist, Alexian Bros. of America (Chicago). Greg left the order and moved to Davis in 1975 to be with Bert, whom he’d met in Chicago, taking a job with Davis Community Hospital. Once again he moved up to administrator.

He was active in Dignity Sacramento (St. Francis of Assisi) as spiritual development co-chair. His service included planning monthly liturgies and organizing home masses. He campaigned against The Briggs Initiative (Prop 6) and for domestic partner benefits. He volunteered with the Sac. AIDS Foundation Hand-to-Hand project providing care to AIDs patients.

After Bert passed, the Alexians invited Greg to chair their alumni association and publish its newsletter, in which he broke ground by printing its first same-sex marriage announcement for a member.

Perhaps his most important role was being elder statesman to younger gay men. He and Bert showed us how to live with dignity when times were only getting slightly better--slowly. But to keep things moving, Greg quietly contributed many thousands of dollars to LGBT and AIDs organizations over the years.

Ultimately, he dedicated himself to being his gentle self. At his request there will be no service. Greg will be scattered in private beside Bert. All who loved him will share a very long, hard goodbye, indeed.