NameRobert H. Holmberg
Birth1913
Death2010
Spouses
Birth1913, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, OH
Death2005, Naples, FL
Notes for Robert H. Holmberg
Robert E. Holmberg MD passed away October 15, 2010 at the age of 97. He was born February 10,1913 in Cleveland, OH, the son of Edgar T. and El len A. Holmberg (ne. Hagelin). Dr. Holmberg received his BA degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from the College of Wooster in 1935 and his MD degree, again with honors, from Western Reserve University in 1939. He met his wife, Virginia Barker MD, in medical school while sharing a locker and an anatomy table. They were married in 1941, while both interns at University Hospitals in Cleveland: she in Pediatrics and he in Surgery.
Dr. Holmberg served his country in WW II, serving as a Flight Surgeon in the Eighth Army Air Force in England, rising to the rank of Major. After the war he continued his surgical training at St. Luke's Hospital, Cleveland. He had a practice in general surgery in Cleveland from 1948 to 1978 including considerable occupational medicine and surgery for the Lamp Division of General Electric and for the Warner and Swasey Co. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, and a past president of the Allen Memorial Medical Library in Cleveland. Retired in 1978, he and his wife moved to Naples, FL, while spending several summers at their cottage on Lake Chatauqua and in Orono, ME with family.
His hobbies included Civil War and Bible history, opera, the Cleveland Indians, woodworking, fishing for muskies, golf and croquet. He had many happy memories with his family at their summer cottage on Lake Chautauqua, NY, and at the Barker family summer cottages on Monhegan Island, ME. It was there that he and his wife introduced their three sons to their love for nature, the ocean and adventure: messing around in boats, sailing, fishing, and hiking.
He had a legion of close and loyal friends, most of whom have pre-deceased him.
He will be remembered fondly by his extended family as an enthusiastic, determined, endlessly responsible and intellectually curious man with a remarkable memory, great sense of humor, humble manner, and genuine concern for others. He was a caring physician till the end. He was most thankful for his healthy, loving, and productive family.
His beloved wife, Virginia Barker Holmberg, MD died April 3, 2005. He is survived by his three sons and families, Robert E. Jr, MD and Joan MacCracken, MD of Brooksville/Bangor, ME; William B. and Patty of Boca Grande, FL; John M. and his mate Rose Broe of Brisbane, Australia; four grandchildren, Tim, MD and Kristi Holmberg of Salt Lake City, UT; Molly Holmberg Brown PhD and Eric Brown of Denver; Steve Holmberg, MBA of Portland,OR; and Betsy Holmberg, PhD of Chicago; two great grandchildren: Josiah and Wyatt of Salt Lake City, UT; and special family friend, Hester Rumberg, DDS of Seattle.
A small memorial service was held at Bentley Village October 16, 2010.
A family celebration and internment will be held on Monhegan Island next summer.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Dr., Naples, FL. 43103.
Published by Naples Daily News on Oct. 21, 2010.