Robert Eugene Tanner, M.D.

Augusta, GA - R. Eugene Tanner, M.D. passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023. He was born in Gainesville, GA on August 9, 1933, and during his childhood lived in Oakwood, Clarkston, Decatur and Flowery Branch, GA and Newport News, VA.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 27, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in The Storey Chapel at First Baptist Church of Augusta with Rev. Dr. Will Dyer officiating. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Mr. Hoke Tanner and Mrs. Verna Crow Tanner; his sister: Sarah Tanner Morlock and her husband: Rev. Raymond Morlock; his brother: Douglas Tanner; a brother-in-law: Don Parks and sister-in-law: Martha Tanner (Gainesville, GA); a nephew: Patrick Parks and a granddaughter: Katherine Wells.
He is survived by his wife: Martha Dozier Tanner; sons: David Tanner (Julia) and Stephen Tanner (Jennifer); daughters: Beth Tanner Kroening (Steven) and Julie Tanner Wells (Stephen); grandsons: Marshall Kroening, Jon Tanner and Finn Wells; granddaughters: Alexandra Tanner Horne (Thomas), Samantha Leigh Boyette (Craig), Kristen, Faith and Lauryn Kroening, Rachel Tanner, Mary and Elliot Wells, and great grandchildren: Piper, Mabrie and Rhyse Boyette. He is also survived by brothers: James Tanner, and Larry Tanner (Ann); a sister: Nell Tanner Parks; a sister-in-law: Cynthia Tanner and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Dr. Tanner was educated in the public schools in Clarkston, GA, Oakwood, GA and Newport News, VA. He is a graduate of Oakwood High School as a Salutatorian of his class of 1950. After high school he worked for 1 ½ years at the Georgia Poultry Laboratory in Gainesville, GA and 3 ½ years at the General Motors Assembly plant in Doraville, GA while going to night classes at the University of Georgia Off-Campus in Gainesville, GA. He is also a cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia, Athens GA with a B.S. degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from The Medical College of Georgia, Augusta GA, did a Rotating Internship at The Macon Hospital, Macon GA and Pediatric Residency at The Medical College of GA.

Dr. Tanner started private practice in pediatrics in Augusta, GA in 1964, served as LCDR, MC from 1967 to 1969 at the US Naval Air Station Hospital, Jacksonville, FL and then again practiced pediatrics in Augusta, GA until 2007 when he retired. He also served as a Clinical Associate Professor in Pediatrics at The Medical College of GA. He was chairman of pediatrics at St. Joseph (Trinity) and Doctors Hospital and president of the medical staff of St. Joseph Hospital in 1977.

He is a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church and has gone on several medical mission trips to Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico and Biloxi, Mississippi after the Katrina Hurricane. He was a past member of the American Medical Association and current emeritus member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been an active member of the Augusta Lions Club since 1967 and was President in 1977-1978.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, GA 30909 or Golden Harvest Food Bank, 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta, GA 30909.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com