Obit: Boock, Robert F. (1917 - 2005)

Surnames: Boock, Kelly, Chatfield, Allen, Heyer, Haase, Ali, Dzwonkowski, Bertler, Davie

----Source: Appleton Post Crescent (Appleton, Outagamie County, Wis.) 27 Mar. 2005

Boock, Robert F. (10 June 1917 - 22 Mar. 2005)

Dr. Robert F. Boock, 87, longtime resident of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 22, 2005, at the home of his daughter, Barbara Kelly of Green Bay. Robert Frederick Boock was born in Spencer, Wis., on June 10, 1917, to Oscar M. and Cora M. (Gustman) Boock. His family moved to Waterloo, Wis., where he graduated from High School in 1934. In 1939, he received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following medical school, he performed his internship at Louisville General Hospital in Louisville, Ky., where he met and married Dorothy May Chatfield. Dr. Boock served in the U.S. Army (Medical Corps) from 1942 to 1945. There, in the South Pacific theatre, Captain Boock was a battalion surgeon with the 31st (Dixie) Division, receiving a bronze star while performing his duties on Borneo, New Guinea and the Philippines.

He then returned to Louisville for his residency in surgery. In 1949, he and his family moved to Beaver Dam where he established his practice in general surgery. For many years, he was the only Board Certified surgeon in Dodge County. Dr. Boock was a member and served as President of the Dodge County Medical Society. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, Wisconsin State Surgical Society, American College of Surgeons and was certified by the American Board of Surgery. In 1986, after practicing for 37 years, he retired from the work he loved. Dr. Boock is remembered warmly by his friends, colleagues and hundreds of patients who still recall his compassion, wisdom and kindness.

His wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death in 2003, after almost 61 years of marriage. He is also predeceased by his parents, one son-in-law, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

He is survived by five children and two grandchildren, Barbara (Tom) Kelly, Green Bay; Patricia Boock, Milwaukee; Margaret Boock, Savannah, Ga.; Robert F. (Rafat) Boock Jr. and their daughter Kaylyn, Stafford, Va.; Susan (Dan, deceased) Ketelsen and their children Kyle, Sam, Sarah and Stephen, Lodi; brother, Oscar (Amy) Boock, Worthington, Ohio; sister, Marguerite (Bob) Allen, Milwaukee; four nieces, two nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dr. Boock was a faithful member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. Over the years, he took part in various community activities and organizations, and he always enjoyed being Team Physician for the High School football games. He had many interests. He loved music, was an avid reader, enjoyed photography, history and sports, especially golf, the Wisconsin Badger football games, and the Packers. He loved family gatherings and enjoyed spending time at the family villa on Hilton Head Island, S.C. He will be remembered, among other things, for his wry sense of humor and his philosophical outlook. He was a wonderful father, who, by his example, inspired our beliefs and values and our strong religious faith. AND ... he was lots of fun!!! We all miss him very much!

A worship service for Dr. Robert F. Boock will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church with the Reverend Philip Heyer officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 29, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Koepsell Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. Entombment will be at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum in Nicolet Gardens in Green Bay. Anyone wishing to join the family for any of these events is welcome.

A memorial fund is being established and will include Alzheimer’s Disease Research.

We, the Boock family, would like to express our gratitude to all those who have helped and encouraged us during this long journey. Dr. Boock’s physicians, Dr. S. Haase and Dr. M. Ali of Beaver Dam and Dr. M. Dzwonkowski (and Brooke) and Dr. Bertler of Green Bay - Home Health Care at Beaver Dam Community Hospital and the VNA of Wisconsin, Aurora BayCare, Green Bay. Also to Alice Davie’s Consulting Home Care and her workers, and to Apria, Chartwell and Green Bay Home Medical, as well as all the nurses and departments at Beaver Dam Community Hospital. Love and special thanks to Carolyn, Joan, Lorie, Michelle, Dawn, Jim, Erica, Shelly, Brenda and Lisa of Beaver Dam and to Shellie, Linda, Nikki and Dawn in Green Bay. We will never forget your love and devotion. Gratitude also, to the Pastors of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, relatives, friends and neighbors. God bless you all !!!!