Dr. Gene Douglas Trettin, 85, died on December 2, 2010 at the Arnold home of his daughter, Kimberly Penoyar, after a lengthy illness. Dr. Trettin was born on November 20, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Brooklyn where his father, Clarence, had a dental practice and his mother, Naomi, was a homemaker active in civic affairs. He graduated from Southern High School of Baltimore in 1943. During his high school years he served as President of the Student Council, wrestled, played basketball and received numerous academic awards.


Dr. Trettin was a very gifted man with many talents. While in high school he also attended Peabody Conservatory Preparatory School and became an accomplished pianist. He also attended the Maryland Institute of Art mastering various art media.


After graduation from high school he entered the Navy V-12 program and was sent to Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. There he met his future wife, the former Katherine Lee Harmer, whom he married in November 1948. Upon graduating from Ursinus in 1946 he went on to attend the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine where he was a member of the Rush Club.


In 1951 Dr. Trettin opened an office for general practice in Severna Park. During his practice it was not uncommon for him to accept fruits and vegetables or live chickens as "payment" for his services.


During the Korean War, he was recalled to service by the Army. While in the Army, he received intensive training in Ear, Nose and Throat at Walter Reed Hospital. He then became head of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat department at the military hospital at Fort Meade. After his discharge from the Army he received additional training at the University Of Maryland Hospital where he became the first full time resident in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Upon completion of his residency Dr. Trettin opened an Ear, Nose and Throat practice in Annapolis where he performed the Hospital's first laryngectomy and was the first doctor to use tubes in children's ears.

He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Anne Arundel Medical Society, the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland and the Otolaryngology Society. He retired from the practice of medicine in 1982.

His beloved wife, Katherine, preceded him in death. In addition to his daughter Kimberly (Peter), he is survived by another daughter, Kandace Chase (Michael) of Severna Park, and son Andrew (Karen), with whom he lived for the past four years in Severna Park. He is also survived by his youngest son, Douglas (Diana) of Atlanta, Georgia. He leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Christopher (Susanna) and Mac Chase; Jeffrey and Katie Trettin; Jared, Colin, Jordan and Daryn Penoyar; Naomi, Hannah and Teddy Trettin; and four great grandchildren, Justin, Cassidy, Isabella and Sam Chase.

Funeral arrangements are private. The family will receive visitors to celebrate Dr. Trettin's life on Saturday, December 11th starting at noon at the home of Kandy and Mike Chase, 759 Ticonderoga Avenue, Severna Park, Maryland 21146. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake at 445 Defense Hwy, Annapolis, MD 21401.