Forrest Mischler, M.D., F.A.C.S.,

Forrest Clair Mischler, M.D., F.A.C.S., age 79, of Erie, died peacefully at home on Saturday, October 20, 2018, with his loving wife Shirley at his side. He was born in Lundys Lane, Pennsylvania on February 5, 1939, to the late Winifred (née Joslin) Mischler and John Lockwood Mischler. Forrest graduated from Fairview High School in 1957, then attended Allegheny College for three years before transferring to Gannon College, where he received a BA in 1962. He married Shirley Anne (née Eaton) Mischler on August 22, 1962, before beginning medical school at the University of Cincinnati, where he received an MD in 1967. Forrest enjoyed a long and successful medical career before retiring in 2000.

In high school Forrest (a.k.a. Misch) distinguished himself as a scholar, leader, and athlete. He was valedictorian and president of his class, played tackle on one of Fairview’s all-time winningest football teams, and sowed the seeds of a future medical career as a Fairview volunteer fireman and ambulance driver—achieving Captain of the department in 1960.

At Allegheny College he undertook a pre-med curriculum, majoring in Biology, and was active in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He pursued his medical education at the University of Cincinnati, where he joined the Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternity, and then completed his surgical residency at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, rising to Chief Resident in 1972.  Forrest soon became a board-certified surgeon and eventually a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Five years after completing his residency, Forrest was appointed Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Hamot and became the hospital’s Trauma Director in 1980. He advanced Hamot’s trauma center to Level-1 status, and saved countless lives as a trauma surgeon. Additional leadership service at Hamot included Chairman of the Executive Committee, President of the Medical Staff, and co-director of the burn unit. He was also involved in Hamot’s charitable outreach, serving on Hamot Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Throughout his career, Forrest maintained a successful private practice as the founder of, and principal partner in, General Surgical Associates of Erie. He was a compassionate medical practitioner delivering the highest-caliber services with a kind and generous spirit.

Forrest exerted widespread civic influence in Erie and beyond.  He was Governor of the American College of Surgeons, President Elect of the NW Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American, Pennsylvania, and Erie County Medical Societies. In 1972 he founded and directed Erie’s first Emergency Medical Technician training programs, and in 1979 he was named Citizen of the Year by the Erie County Volunteer Fireman’s Association. He served on boards of directors for EmergyCare, Inc., the United Way, the American Cancer Society, the Erie Day School, and Gannon University, where he was also a clinical assistant professor for Gannon’s Physician Assistant training program. In 1979 he was installed as an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist and has been active in St. Patrick’s parish. He was a member of The Erie Club, Aviation Country Club, and served numerous terms on Lake Shore Country Club’s Board of Directors, and was president of the club from 1982-84. He treasured the Lake Shore community, his home of 28 years.

Forrest was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, always looking for ways to support and delight those he loved. He enjoyed golf, gardening, reading History, walking his English bulldogs, and expanding his Winston-Churchill-memorabilia collection.  Forrest was an avid football fan, attending most of his sons’ and grandson’s games, and supporting his beloved Cleveland Browns. Holidays were joyful at Nana and Papoo’s house, with Papoo (aka Opa) piling gifts under the tree, stuffing stockings, and reading A Visit From St. Nicholas. Family members could rely on Forrest to provide plenty of their favorite snacks and drinks, and more importantly, lend a compassionate ear during kitchen-stool conversations.

Forrest is survived by his wife Shirley of fifty-six years and his children and grandchildren—Paul Bryan Mischler, his wife Linda Fitts Mischler, and their children Lucas and Jackson of Malvern, Pennsylvania; Deborah Marie Tinsman, her husband Douglas Patrick Tinsman and their children Eaton and Ainsley of Lebanon, Ohio; and Michael Forrest Mischler, his wife Mary Margaret Mischler and their children Melissa, Katherine, Michelle, Joseph, and Kelly of Erie, Pennsylvania—as well as his sisters Roberta Steinhoff of Albion, Pennsylvania; Alice Marie Ogg of Girard, Pennsylvania; and Naomi Burwell of St. Augustine Florida.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Avenue) on Friday, October 26, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 130 E. 4th Street, Erie, PA 16507, on Saturday, October 27, at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would deeply appreciate donations to St. Patrick’s Haven, a homeless shelter for men, or another charity.