Craig Goodwin Gosling

Craig Goodwin Gosling passed away on July 11, 2021. He was 84 years old and is survived by his beloved wife Gretchen Melton Gosling.

Craig was born on August 16, 1936 and raised in the Bronx, N. Y. In 1950 his parents, Bryan and Jean Gosling, enrolled him in the McBurney Preparatory School for Boys in Manhattan. McBurney opened up an intellectual future for Craig. And he was always grateful to his parents for having enrolled him there.  Upon graduation he was accepted to Hunter College, one of the free tuition colleges available to high school graduates in New York City at that time. Craig majored in Zoology and Art.

Upon graduation from Hunter, he worked briefly for Paul Peck, a renowned medical illustrator located in Manhattan. Mr. Peck introduced him to the profession of medical illustrator, his goal. The Vietnam War and lack of tuition funds delayed his plans for graduate school. In 1959 Craig enlisted in the U. S. Army for three years and signed up for medical corpsman and operating room technician training. He received invaluable training in surgical procedures and anatomy which helped him in his future profession of medical illustration.

After being discharged from the Army in 1962, he was accepted at the University of Illinois School of Medical Illustration in Chicago.

After graduating in 1965, Craig was offered a job as a medical illustrator at the Indiana School of Medicine. The small, antiquated Department of Medical Illustration and Photography was in dire need of modernization. Over the next 36 years, until his retirement in 2001, Craig modernized and expanded the department. He created an income source for it by designing and constructing numerous 3D patient simulators for training medical students and staff. His creations were widely used at medical schools and hospitals all over the world. The income generated enabled him to upgrade his department and keep abreast of rapidly changing digital/computer technology. While working at the I.U. School of Medicine Craig also worked on a contractor basis for the Indianapolis Zoo, where he provided illustrations and exhibit designs.

Craig married the love of his life, Gretchen, on August 25, 1968. The two were married in Midland, Michigan, and were together almost 54 years.

Craig enjoyed writing and published several children’s books of poetry, short stories, and also radio dramas. Most of his writings are available at graygoosegosling.wordpress.com and on Secular Radio Theater on YouTube. Please feel free to enjoy them at your leisure.

Craig was active in his professional organization, the AMI, (Association of Medical Illustrators). He was the chairman of numerous committees, served on its Board of Governors, and its President, as well as the President of the Vesalius Trust. Craig was also a visiting professor at schools of medical illustration. He received multiple honorary awards from the AMI, including its Lifetime Achievement Award. The University of Illinois School of Medicine, Indiana School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine all recognized Craig for his contributions to medical education.

Throughout high school and college Craig excelled in varsity soccer and track and field and was selected as the 1959 Hunter College Athlete of the Year. He still holds Hunter College season and meet scoring records in track and field. He won medals in senior track competitions in Indianapolis. Craig also excelled in squash competition for many years at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. He actively lectured at the CFI (Center for Inquiry), lectured on science and secular matters, and was a long-time member of its Advisory Board. He was a Charles Darwin impersonator and gave lectures on evolution. He was an instructor in a weekly Speaking English class sponsored by CFI for foreign students and visitors wishing to improve their language skills.

Prior to and after retirement in 2001, Craig and Gretchen had travelled widely and enjoyed their many friends, a house full of felines, and their loving Yorkshire Terrier, Corky. Craig considered himself extremely fortunate to have married his true love, Gretchen, and to have had a long, productive, healthy, and happy life with many friends and no regrets.

A Memorial Luncheon will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Flanner Buchanan – Geist, 7855 Cork Road, Indianapolis. Guests are welcome to share stories and memories of Craig.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Craig Gosling Memorial Fund, c/o CFI of Indianapolis, 350 Canal Walk, Ste. A, Indianapolis, IN 46202.