STATEHOUSE (March 3, 2010) - State Sen. Gary "Doc" Dillon, who for more than three decades prescribed dependable public service as a physician, legislator and community servant, had an unexpected appointment Wednesday afternoon - with more than 49 people waiting to see him.
Members of the Indiana Senate showered Dillon (R-Columbia City) with praise, thanks and applause as the Columbia City legislator winds up his final legislative session this week. Dillon, who has represented portions of Allen, Grant, Huntington, Kosciusko, Wabash and Whitley counties since 2002, will retire from the legislature when his term expires this November.
"Serving constituents in Senate District 17 has been a blessing and an honor," Dillon said. "I continue to be humbled by their support and kind words."
Dillon, 67, serves as a ranking member on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which helps craft the multi-billion dollar budget for Indiana state government. He also serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, as a member of the Energy and Environmental Affairs and Tax and Fiscal Policy committees.
"Without a lot of attention or fanfare, Gary Dillon has made a significant difference for Hoosiers all across this state with his calm demeanor and bipartisan approach to solving problems," said Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne). "He is an important and trusted colleague who will be greatly missed."
"Gary Dillon has been a steady voice for Hoosier taxpayers," said Senate Appropriations Chair Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville). "His work on property tax, medical and ethics issues, among many others, have resulted in healthy changes to Indiana laws."
Before coming to the Senate, Dillon was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1998 to 2002. The National Republican Legislators Association named Dillon the Republican Freshman of the Year in 2000.
Dillon served eight years on the Whitely County Consolidated School Board and five as its president. From 1965 to 1971 he served in the Indiana Air National Guard while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College. He went on to medical school at Indiana University.
Dillon's career in medicine includes several leadership roles including medical director of Whitely County Hospice, president of Whitely County Hospital's medical staff and committee member at the Parkview Medical System.
He served as the president and board member of the Whitley County Board of Health and on the Whitely County Consolidated School Board. Dillon is a founding board member of the Whitley County Youth for Christ and served on the Whitely County YMCA Board and Funding Committee.
Dillon and his wife Ann of 40 years have three sons and one daughter: David Dillon, Muncie, Ind.; Matthew Dillon, Missoula, Mont.; Travis Dillon, Oakland, Calif.; and Meg Zublin, Basal, Switzerland. The Dillons have six grandchildren.
He is currently a part-time Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Indiana University's Medical Center. Dillon said he plans to continue part-time work in the medical field.
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