Elmer E. Gaede, M.D. was a simple Mennonite farm boy from Kansas who took a turn at the dairy barn and before he knew it, had graduated from KU medical school and was on his way up the Alcan Highway with his family. In 1955, he served as one of seven physicians at the Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage. In 1957, he transferred with the Public Health Service to Tanana, and cared for the medical needs of 22 villages up and down the Yukon River. By 1961, he'd accumulated a file-full of Alaskan flying, hunting, and medical adventures and found himself homesteading on the Kenai Peninsula as one of the first physicians.

Books & Articles

To learn more about Doc Gaede, check out the articles and books below:

A Larger History of the Kenai Peninsula
Book by Walt and Elsa Pedersen
See the chapter on Soldotna

Alaska's Kenai Peninsula: The Road We've Traveled
Book compiled by the Kenai Historical Society
Find "Gaede" in the index
This book can be purchased from the Kenai Visitor's Center:

Once Upon the Kenai: Stories from the People
Book compiled by the Kenai Historical Society
Find "Gaede" in the surname index
This book can also be purchased from the Kenai Visitor's Center.

Peninsula Clarion: Hospital Celebrates 30 Years of Service
Peninsula Clarion: Community Members Give Thanks
To find these articles on-line:

  • Go to Kenai Peninsula Online at www.peninsulaclarion.com
  • Click on Archives
  • From the Year drop down menu, select "2001"
  • Under Search Keywords, type "Hospital Celebrates 30 Years of Service"
  • Under Search Keywords, type "Community Members Give Thanks"