Col. Eugene Dell Rutland, Jr., M.D.

Col. Eugene Dell Rutland, Jr., M.D., 88, of Wadmalaw Island, SC, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service 11:00 AM Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Johns Island Presbyterian Church, 2550 Bohicket Road, Johns Island. Burial will follow in the churchyard. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Wednesday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston.

Eugene Dell Rutland, Jr. was born October 9, 1935, in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Memphis city schools and was graduated from East High School. He attended Memphis State College for his PreMed education and was graduated from University of Tennessee College of Medicine in March of 1960, Doctor of Medicine, and a member of the American Medical Association. He did his internship at Naval Hospital Chelsea, MA, and completed a residency in Pathology at Naval Hospital Philadelphia. He was board certified in l965 in Clinical and Anatomic Pathology. Dr. Rutland became a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and Inspector for College of American Pathologists. Following his residency, he served as Staff Pathologist at Naval Hospital Philadelphia, and subsequently as Director of Laboratory Service, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, NC from 1966 until 1970, at which time he resigned his commission in the US Navy, having attained pay grade Commander (05).

Dr. Rutland practiced medicine in Tennessee and North Carolina before settling in Charleston, SC, where he acted as director of Laboratory at St. Francis-Xavier and Baker Hospitals until his retirement in 1998. While in Charleston, he became active in the U.S. Army Reserve and was activated for the Gulf War and served until his retirement from the Army in 1992. During his tour of duty, he acted as commander of his local hospital unit and commanding officer U.S. Army Hospital, Ft. Campbell, KY during the Gulf War tour. He attained pay grade Colonel (06). At age 68 he was activated again and served a short time in 2004.

Also, while in Charleston, Eugene became a member of the Charleston County Medical Society, Medical Society of South Carolina, South Carolina State Medical Society, The Widows and Orphans Society, and was president of Coastal Medical Society. He served on the board of directors of Cannon Memorial Hospital, Banner Elk, NC, chief of staff and board of directors Baker and Roper North Hospital, N. Charleston, SC and board of Directors St. James-Santee Healthcare, Inc.

Eugene was a member of, and served on the board of directors as treasurer, of Middleton Hunting Club, served as Commodore and on the board of directors of Sea Island Yacht Club, Rockville, SC. He was a member of The Lowcountry Land Trust, and was a member of Charleston Men's Chorus, where he served on the board of directors and as librarian. He was a member of "Sons of Confederate Veterans" and a Kentucky Col., and served as an elder of the Presbyterian Church, ordained 1991, Presbyterian Church, Rockville, SC. He was designated an elder Emeritus in 2017 by the session of Johns Island Presbyterian Church, Johns Island, SC. He served on the session and did missionary work giving immunizations to the Lowcountry migrant workers.

Col. Rutland leaves his beloved wife, Martha Alice Davis Rutland, a daughter, Karen Anne Rutland Crowell, a son Eugene Duncan Rutland, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, (843) 766-1365.