Dr. Gary D Helmbrecht
- April 17, 1957 - February 10, 2011
- Charlottesville, Virginia
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Dr. Gary Helmbrecht, 53, beloved father and husband passed away on February 10th at his home. Gary was born on April 17, 1957 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Gary is survived by his bride of 13 years, Jocelynn and their two children Emerson, 11, and Wesley, 9. His other children Aaron, 27 and Leah 25 and his nieces Sierra, 16, Val, 14, and Jessica 11 for whom he was guardian. Siblings are Richard, Mike, Thomas, Jennifer, Paul and his wife Kalpana.
Dr. Gary Helmbrecht obtained his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1984. He began a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He served his nation proudly in the Navy Medical Corps, United States actively from 1984 – 1990 and remained in the inactive reserve until his death. Between 1992 and 1994, Dr. Helmbrecht completed a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He was widely published in his field and was considered an expert in the care and management of high-risk pregnancies.
Dr. Helmbrecht began practicing maternal-fetal medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia in October 2004. He was instrumental in expanding the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, a regional center for the care of high-risk pregnancies. He was skilled in a specific surgical procedure that prevented early pregnancy loss. His expert management of these patients yielded many near-term and term pregnancies. Additionally, he had an extensive knowledge of addiction disorders in pregnancy. His authoritative article in The Journal of Addiction Medicine has enabled many obstetricians to manage the care of these difficult pregnancies. His commitment to patients with addictions led to the establishment of care to these patients in labor and delivery at Martha Jefferson Hospital.
Dr. Helmbrecht also treated non pregnant patients suffering from addiction. He found incredible fulfillment by helping these patients overcome and manage their disease.
Dr. Helmbrecht’s extensive knowledge, expert skills, and willingness to provide optimal care to his patients will be greatly missed.
Dr. Helmbrecht was a member of many professional societies. These included the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Virginia Society of Addiction Medicine, American Telemedicine Association, American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, New York Academy of Science, Virginia Medical Society. He held academic appointments over the years at the Uniformed Services University of Health Services, Georgetown University Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical School, and Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Helmbrecht was passionate about politics and worked tirelessly for the GOP. As a member of the Physicians Council for Responsible Reform, he offered his expertise to congressional candidates and sitting congressmen. Gary was a member of the Jefferson Area Tea Party and spoke at several of their events. He thoroughly enjoyed speaking on the Rob Schilling Show and Joe Thomas in the Morning.
Gary cared deeply about people and began volunteering at the Pregnancy Center in Charlottesville in 2009 performing ultrasounds. He was passionate about the gift of life.
Gary and Jocelynn were members and actively involved in the church family at Cornerstone Church in Crozet, VA.
Gary’s compassion for children with special needs led him to establish the Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome Foundation in 2001 in honor of his youngest son, Wesley. The foundation paid for medical equipment and supplies to children with special needs. He loved and sponsored the regional gatherings of families and supported the yearly events.
Gary gave endlessly of himself. He loved abundantly and touched the lives of his wife and children, patients, politicians, colleagues, and family. All that he did was out of a deep faith in God. He will be missed tremendously by all who loved and knew him.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Wesley T. Helmbrecht RTS Foundation at 430 Foxdale Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be conducted at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Covenant Church with Pastor Jon Quesenberry officiating.
Would you like to send condolences to Gary's family? Click below to View the Service Information, Sign the Guestbook or share a special story about Dr. Gary D Helmbrecht.
Service Information
Memorial Service
February 16, 2011
7:00 PM
Covenant Church of God
1025 East Rio Road
Charlottesville , VA
Would you like to send condolences to Gary's family? Click below to Sign the Guestbook or share a special story about Dr. Gary D Helmbrecht by clicking Share A Memory.
I just wanted to say my prayers are with the family of Dr. Gary Helmbrecht. I doubt there is any relationship even though we share the same last name. I know its hard to loose someone you love both of my parents died when I was 17 and 18.. Time does not heal your pain it just helps you to learn how to deal with it. God bless your family from the Helmbrecht families of minneapolis mn and henning mn ( where my grandmother still lives on her own and is healthy at the age of 90)
Posted by: Dale E Helmbrecht Jr - Minneapolis , MN - None that I am aware of Jan 28, 2012I know this is a late addition to the guestbook, but I only found out about this a few short weeks ago. My heart was truly broken to hear of this loss. I met "my doc" as I called him about 5 years ago. After being told by many doctors that I could not carry a pregnancy, he told me that I could. I was pregnant with my second child, when she did not make it. Dr. Helmbrect had to
I know this is a late addition to the guestbook, but I only found out about this a few short weeks ago. My heart was truly broken to hear of this loss. I met "my doc" as I called him about 5 years ago. After being told by many doctors that I could not carry a pregnancy, he told me that I could. I was pregnant with my second child, when she did not make it. Dr. Helmbrect had to do a surgery to try to keep me from having preterm labor. After this loss, I received a phone call telling me to come back and try again. I then became pregnant again and was able to carry this child. I remember being in labor here in Lynchburg and Dr. Helmbrect on speaker phone walking me through the delivery. My husband and I had many wonderful meetings with Gary and we ejoyed talking about our families and football. Being a Special Education teacher, he loved to pick my brain. I went to visit him a few weeks ago and was told the news. I was in total shock! I would like for his family to know that you have been our prayers and we are truly grateful that we got to know him for the small amount of time that we did. Prayers to you all!
Posted by: Danielle Thompson - Bedford, VA - patient Oct 19, 2011May god hold in the palm of his hand and guide you all the rest of your life. I got to mmet Dr.Helmbrecht back in sioux falls. we where at gas station and the clerk says how do you say that name i said Helm-brecht its german she thought so and the guy behind says your last name is Helmbrecht I sais he said well I'm gary Helmbrecht. and I said Wow its not a name you hear alot. around
May god hold in the palm of his hand and guide you all the rest of your life. I got to mmet Dr.Helmbrecht back in sioux falls. we where at gas station and the clerk says how do you say that name i said Helm-brecht its german she thought so and the guy behind says your last name is Helmbrecht I sais he said well I'm gary Helmbrecht. and I said Wow its not a name you hear alot. around here maybe in germany. He was a wonderful guy just got to mmet him once but he left a memory to cherish forever. the other story we have of him is my mom was having major issues with health and she was waiting ofr the biopsy reslut from the test in a nother Dr's room, 4 years before my father had passed away from a massive heart attack. My mother all alone in the Room her's something over the PA Speaker System. They Said dr.Helmbrecht to recovery unit Dr.Helmbrecht to recovery my mom said just before that she wanted a sign from my dad that everthing would be ok! That was her sign. Thanks Dr.Helmbrecht for the memory of that fall day in SD. I will always remember it. Tell we meet again God Bless you!!
Posted by: Brian Helmbrecht - Sioux Falls, SD Jun 16, 2011
I never met Gary, but after reading the condolences, felt compelled to leave on of my own.
Gary sounded like a truely wonderful man and I can only hope and pray that the kind words of the many people he has touched will bring you some peace in these dark days.
Posted by: Allison Jun 14, 2011I was a current patient of Dr. Helmbrecht's. I could not believe the news when I heard of his passing. I am stunned and my heart aches for his family. He was a wonderful, generous, caring man and he will be deeply missed. What a loss to the world!
Posted by: Rebecca W. - Sumerduck, VA - patient Apr 22, 2011Do you have a special story about Dr. Gary D Helmbrecht you'd like to share? Click below to Share A Memory.
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Doctor Helmbrecht delivered my breech baby via c-section on January 27, 2011. I was very appreciative of his sense of humor and optimism. I am very saddened to see that he passed away so very soon after the birth of my daughter. He was so reassuring and positive. He really made a positive impact on me. I'm so grateful that he was there to deliver my baby. I will never forget that he burst into song in the operating room singing "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.." and how overjoyed and excited he was to hand over our brand new baby to my husband and I.
Posted by Carrie Smith from Charlottesville, VA - Patient on April 04, 2012 -
I just was told today of Gary's brother Michael being a dentist in Fairbanks and went on the Internet and was putting in the brothers names and Gary's came up. I am in shock of his death. He was such a sweet, quiet and shy little guy when he was young. A good baby also!!!! I would love to learn more from the family. Blessings to everyone. God will take good care of him. Jean Crawford
Posted by Jea (Boeck) Crawford from Sun City, AZ - Former babysitter of Gary and his brothers in Mayville on August 21, 2011 -
Dr. Helmbrecht saved my daughters life when I was just 16 weeks pregnant for that I told him thank you she would never be here!!! He was a wonderful doctor and a very kind and caring one may god be with his family in there time of need!So again am very grateful of his services my daughter is now a year old and when she grows up I will tell her how he saved her life!!!
Posted by Chasity Phillips from Timberville, VA - Patient on March 09, 2011 -
Dr. Helmbrecht's expertise saved me from losing my daughter at 22 weeks. He performed a Cervical Cerclage on April 28th 2010. Because of Dr. Helmbretch I was able to carry my baby girl full term, longer than anticipated. After my surgery he became my high risk doctor, and I couldn't have asked for anyone better. He was always pleasant, he helped my husband and I stay positive about the pregnacy after our scare. I am so thankful for what he did for us and will never forget him for that. Such a tragedy...God be with his family.
Posted by Rhonda Payne
from Louisa, VA - Patient
on
February 18, 2011
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Dr. Helmbrecht was a wonderful doctor. My son is 10 months old and without this man, my child would not be here today. I had my placenta rupture/ decalcify on me 2 weeks before my due date and the other doctors would not believe when i said that something was not right but this man did. My doctors sent me in for a ultrasound because i was not measuring to my right date and he found that i was leaking amniotic fluid and told me that my child needed to come out that week. When he told my doctors that he wanted the baby out immediately, they would not listen and told me i had to wait til the next week to have him. Once Dr.Hembracht found out what they had decided, he called me in for another ultrasound that week and told me to go to the hospital immediately because the baby was losing oxygen and had lost even more amniotic fluid. So i ending up having a emergency c-section after that appointment that exact day and it ended up if the doctors had waited til the next monday to induce me, austin would have not been here with me today. I am so grateful for this man and i am so sorry for his family to lose him.
Dr. Helmbrecht was a wonderful doctor. My son is 10 months old and without this man, my child would not be here today. I had my placenta rupture/ decalcify on me 2 weeks before my due date and the other doctors would not believe when i said that something was not right but this man did. My doctors sent me in for a ultrasound because i was not measuring to my right date and he found that i was leaking amniotic fluid and told me that my child needed to come out that week. When he told my doctors that he wanted the baby out immediately, they would not listen and told me i had to wait til the next week to have him. Once Dr.Hembracht found out what they had decided, he called me in for another ultrasound that week and told me to go to the hospital immediately... READ MORE →
Posted by Karah Michelle Shumaker Wharam
from buckingham, VA - patient
on
February 17, 2011
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My husband and I first met Dr. Helmbrecht at one of the worst moments of our lives, he was the only one who provided us with hope when he perfomed a surgery on me that saved our, (then in-utero) baby. He actually came to the hospital on May 29, 2009 from Richmond from a political event and his anniversary celebration. He let us know two days after the surgery we were having a baby boy!! Dr. Helmbrecht also delivered him, October 12, 2009; we visited him at work so he could see "his baby" as he called him. The joy he brought to our lives can not even begin to be explained, he literally saved all of our lives by saving Ethan our "miracle baby" we will miss him dearly, he became a very important part of our lives for which he never took credit, he'd say "It was all Him (the Lord), I had very little to do with it" We love you Gary!
My husband and I first met Dr. Helmbrecht at one of the worst moments of our lives, he was the only one who provided us with hope when he perfomed a surgery on me that saved our, (then in-utero) baby. He actually came to the hospital on May 29, 2009 from Richmond from a political event and his anniversary celebration. He let us know two days after the surgery we were having a baby boy!! Dr. Helmbrecht also delivered him, October 12, 2009; we visited him at work so he could see "his baby" as he called him. The joy he brought to our lives can not even begin to be explained, he literally saved all of our lives by saving Ethan our "miracle baby" we will miss him dearly, he became a very important part of our lives for which he never took credit, he'd say "It was all... READ MORE →
Posted by Isabel Schmidt from Lynchburg, VA - Forever grateful...friend on February 16, 2011 -
I am very saddened to learn of Dr. Helmbrect's passing. He beyond a doubt saved my baby's life and I will be forever grateful. Thanks to him and his dedication I now have a healthy 1 year old. Without him, I am not sure the outcome would have been the same. My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful man and a brilliant Doctor.
Posted by Lori Butler from Orange, VA - previous patient on February 15, 2011 -
Dr. Helmbrecht helped save my life. He was more than just my doctor, he was my friend. He helped me to be a better person. I have been clean for 3 years now and that is a miracle. We talked about everything from music to politics and he always made time to give me advice and help me through any obstacles in my life at the time. He was a great man. I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to know him over the last 5 years. He helped me get my life back. He will be missed. My prayers go out to all of his loved ones.
Posted by Mark Davis from amherst, VA - Patient & Friend on February 15, 2011 -
We had the honor of knowing Dr. Gary Helmbrecht because he delivered each of our 3 children. He was such an inspiration to us! We are thankful for the time he invested in our family and in so many others in the community.
We appreciated the fun, wisdom, and enthusiasm he brought to each conversation. Whether on the Downtown Mall or in the operating room, he always maintained his care for others, intensity, and hilarious sense of humor. We are praying for Jocelynn and each of his seven beloved children (whom he mentioned so often).
Posted by Patrick & Christylynn Flynn from Charlottesville, VA - patient & friend on February 14, 2011 -
One of my fondest memories of working with Dr. Helmbrecht was his love for music. One day in particular, we were listening to the radio by way of his computer and a great, old song came on. We were both jammin to this song in the hallway and when it was over he joked with me about how it was "way before my time"....little did he know that Crosby, Stills, and Nash is one of my favorite old bands! "Love the One Your With" is what was playing. I will never forget that day. It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know Dr. Helmbrecht in the last year. So many have been touched by his vast medical knowledge and ability. This is a huge loss to the medical community, our staff, our patients, and of course, his family.
Dr. Helmbrecht -- you, your Christian's Pizza runs, your music, your Hawaiian shirts, and your jokes will be greatly missed!!
My sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Helmbrecht....
Kerry Faulk, Sonographer at the Prenatal Diagnosis Center
One of my fondest memories of working with Dr. Helmbrecht was his love for music. One day in particular, we were listening to the radio by way of his computer and a great, old song came on. We were both jammin to this song in the hallway and when it was over he joked with me about how it was "way before my time"....little did he know that Crosby, Stills, and Nash is one of my favorite old bands! "Love the One Your With" is what was playing. I will never forget that day. It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know Dr. Helmbrecht in the last year. So many have been touched by his vast medical knowledge and ability. This is a huge loss to the medical community, our staff, our patients, and of course, his family.
Dr. Helmbrecht -- you, your Christian's Pizza runs,... READ MORE →
Posted by Kerry Faulk from Charlottesville, VA - Sonographer @ PDC on February 14, 2011 -
My heart weeps and My prayers are with the Helmbrecht family. Dr. Helmbrecht was so amazing. I have a Beautiful family because of him. He will be missed.
Posted by Stephanie from Charlottesville, VA - patient on February 14, 2011Comments
Posted by April Christopher from Crimora, VA - patient on February 16, 2011I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Helmbrecht in 2008 when I found out I was having twins. He came in with a smile every time. I developed a severe syndrome and he looked at me and said we need to do something immediately and he did. I went and had a surgery to save the twins. Later, I delivered at MJH and Dr H. came over, a special visit, just to see the twins. He came and with the most addictive smile and said, "They look great! It's truly a miracle that both of them made it here and have no problems at all" with that he gave me a big hug. He later called to ask me to send pictures of them. He always cared. The community lost a wonderful man. He will never be forgotten, every time I look at my little boys, I will be reminded of a wonderful man who saved their lives.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Helmbrecht in 2008 when I found out I was having twins. He came in with a smile every time. I developed a severe syndrome and he looked at... READ MORE →
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Just a few short weeks ago...Dr. Helmbrecht was at our nurses' station with his iPad watching his beloved Green Bay Packers make their way to the Championship playoffs. His excitement & enthusiasm was truly infectious!! It was funny hearing him recall memories of him enduring harsh winter conditions with his cheese-head to physically attend a GB Packers game when he was younger. I wasn't shocked by his determination as he spoke of it. He always poured 110% into his gift of serving his patients from all walks of life.
Gary spoke frequently about his sweet wife and adoring children. It was apparent that he felt honored to be their husband & father. My deepest sympathies go to his family and closest co-workers. Gary will truly be missed.
Posted by Becki Lawhorne from Charlottesville, VA - MJH -Co-worker on February 14, 2011 -
I remember one night when Dr. Helmbrecht was volunteering at our center to see pregnant clients. I was leaving the center as he was entering and he was so glad to be there, looking forward to his patients scheduled that night. His sincerity and genuineness were wonderful gifts to all he met each day. His life and his outlook blessed many people and we are all thankful for him at the Pregnancy Center.
Posted by Kathy Brown from Charlottesville, VA - friend on February 13, 2011
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