Dr. Eva Gilbertson, 90, pioneer in radiology

Through medical school and a long career as a Seattle radiologist, Dr. Eva Gilbertson was a pioneer in a field dominated by men.

But she told friends and family she never felt discriminated against.

"I think she was always so well-respected by the fellows in her class and all the other doctors that was never an issue," said Carolyn Gilbertson, Dr. Gilbertson's sister-in-law.

The first woman to open a radiology practice in Seattle, Dr. Gilbertson, 90, died Nov. 16 at her home in Seattle, after complications from cancer surgery.

Born in 1916, Dr. Gilbertson grew up on a small farm near Maddock, N.D. She rode a horse to high school every day — five miles each way, wearing blankets wrapped around her legs under her dress to ward off the winter chill. She missed only one day, because of a severe storm.

Graduating as valedictorian, she was offered a scholarship to Concordia College in Minnesota. She transferred after one year to the University of North Dakota, and during her junior year became the only woman accepted to her medical-school class.

Supporting herself by washing test tubes for 20 cents an hour, Dr. Gilbertson transferred to Temple University, where she became intrigued by the ability of X-rays to help doctors diagnose patients' ills. She obtained her medical degree from Temple in 1941.

During her residency at the Mayo Clinic in the 1940s, Dr. Gilbertson became the first woman to complete the radiology program.

Dr. Gilbertson was engaged to a Navy officer during World War II, but he died of Lou Gehrig's disease, according to family members.

After an internship in Portland, Dr. Gilbertson had an offer to become a partner in a radiology practice in Seattle. That job didn't pan out as promised, so she opened her own radiology practice — the first woman to do so in Seattle.

Dr. Gilbertson worked as a radiologist in Seattle for more than 30 years, taking referrals for her own practice and working at Children's Hospital. She was a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Radiological Society.

Several years ago, Dr. Gilbertson sold her house in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood and moved into a condominium downtown.

Although she eventually became legally blind and mostly deaf, Dr. Gilbertson remained active. She continued to have the newspaper delivered though she couldn't make out the small print and attended many plays at downtown theaters though she couldn't see the stage.

"She was this charming, adventurous woman who wanted to take in everything," said Catherine Hall, a friend and neighbor.

Dr. Gilbertson also retained a playful side, telling friends she wanted to be reincarnated as a pink cricket.

She is survived by her brother Ward Gilbertson, and sister-in-law Carolyn Gilbertson, of East Grand Forks, Minn.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Denny Park Lutheran Church, 766 John St., Seattle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the endowed fund in Dr. Gilbertson's name at the University of North Dakota.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com