1915
Robert
2011
Robert E. Lovgren
February 10, 1915 — February 11, 2011
Harlingen, TX:
LOVGREN, Robert Ellsworth, MD, 96 passed away February 11, 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Whitney Lovgren, parents, John and Margaret Lovgren, sister, Jane Hansen, and great granddaughter Tatum Lovgren. Bob was born February 10, 1915 at home in Omaha. He attended Central High school where he was a member of National Honor Society graduating in 1932. He received his BS degree in pre-med in 1937 from the University of Nebraska and was a member Sigma Chi fraternity. A member of Phi Rho fraternity, he attended the University of Nebraska Medical School from 1935 to 1939. He interned at St. Louis City Hospital from 1939 to 1940 followed by a residency at Robert Koch Hospital for tuberculosis (TB) from 1940 to 1941. He and Dotty Whitney were married on July 19, 1941 in Webster Grove MO. During WWII, Bob was a Captain in the Army, stationed at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Aurora CO, where he had two TB wards. After the war he entered the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) residency program at McMillan Hospital in St. Louis. He returned to Omaha to set up his ENT practice in August 1948 and retired in 1983. He was on the staff of several hospitals and was on the volunteer teaching faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical School. His first priority in life was his patients. “If they were going to trust me with their healthcare, I was going to be there for them.” Bob personified excellence in medicine, integrity, helping others, and love of country. He had a sharp mind, a quick wit, and an unbelievable memory. He loved to debate issues of the day with well defended positions making great conversation. He and Dotty were two of the co-founders of the Omaha Hearing School in 1953, believing hearing-impaired children would have so many more opportunities in life if they learned oral language. They moved to Harlingen Texas in 1989. Golf, bridge, reading, politics, travel, and genealogy were among his interests. His love of golf came from his dad and he had 1 hole-in-one on the twelfth hole at the Harlingen Country Club. He enjoyed bridge immensely with his “seat-of-the-pants” style and was always a “humble” winner (his smile said it all). He was also very proud of his Swedish/Norwegian heritage. In recent months, he retained his national cribbage championship amongst the family despite our best efforts.
He is survived by his three beloved children & their spouses, John Lovgren (Nancy) of Austin TX, Robert Lovgren (Linda) of Omaha, and Linda Gallagher (Carl) of Lincoln. His beloved grandchildren are Kristen Goodwin (William) of Austin TX, Brett Lovgren (Margi) of Vienna VA, Dr. Todd Lovgren (Drue) of Denver CO, Laura Paul (Scott) of Stowe VT, Robert Gallagher (Tammy) of Lincoln, and Michael Gallagher (Tanya Casteel) of Raleigh NC. His beloved great grandchildren are Sebastian Goodwin, Nathaniel Lovgren, Annika Lovgren, Tyson Lovgren, Colton Lovgren, Kathryn Paul, Alexander Paul, Caden Gallagher, and Zoe Gallagher. Nieces and their families are Babs Weinberg (Mike and Andy) of Omaha, Susan Bahle (Tom, Brian, Brad and Lisa) of Dublin GA. Virginia Butler (Bill and Dan) of Grand Junction CO. His sister in-law is Margery Whitney of Wauconda IL. Nephews are Robert Whitney of Wauconda IL and David Whitney of Topeka KS. He is also survived by his beloved companion, Dorothy Yarbrough of Harlingen TX.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present to receive friend from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, 514 South E St., Harlingen TX 78550 or the Omaha Hearing School, 1110 North 66th St., Omaha NE 68132.
You are invited to leave a memory or condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
LOVGREN, Robert Ellsworth, MD, 96 passed away February 11, 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Whitney Lovgren, parents, John and Margaret Lovgren, sister, Jane Hansen, and great granddaughter Tatum Lovgren. Bob was born February 10, 1915 at home in Omaha. He attended Central High school where he was a member of National Honor Society graduating in 1932. He received his BS degree in pre-med in 1937 from the University of Nebraska and was a member Sigma Chi fraternity. A member of Phi Rho fraternity, he attended the University of Nebraska Medical School from 1935 to 1939. He interned at St. Louis City Hospital from 1939 to 1940 followed by a residency at Robert Koch Hospital for tuberculosis (TB) from 1940 to 1941. He and Dotty Whitney were married on July 19, 1941 in Webster Grove MO. During WWII, Bob was a Captain in the Army, stationed at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Aurora CO, where he had two TB wards. After the war he entered the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) residency program at McMillan Hospital in St. Louis. He returned to Omaha to set up his ENT practice in August 1948 and retired in 1983. He was on the staff of several hospitals and was on the volunteer teaching faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical School. His first priority in life was his patients. “If they were going to trust me with their healthcare, I was going to be there for them.” Bob personified excellence in medicine, integrity, helping others, and love of country. He had a sharp mind, a quick wit, and an unbelievable memory. He loved to debate issues of the day with well defended positions making great conversation. He and Dotty were two of the co-founders of the Omaha Hearing School in 1953, believing hearing-impaired children would have so many more opportunities in life if they learned oral language. They moved to Harlingen Texas in 1989. Golf, bridge, reading, politics, travel, and genealogy were among his interests. His love of golf came from his dad and he had 1 hole-in-one on the twelfth hole at the Harlingen Country Club. He enjoyed bridge immensely with his “seat-of-the-pants” style and was always a “humble” winner (his smile said it all). He was also very proud of his Swedish/Norwegian heritage. In recent months, he retained his national cribbage championship amongst the family despite our best efforts.
He is survived by his three beloved children & their spouses, John Lovgren (Nancy) of Austin TX, Robert Lovgren (Linda) of Omaha, and Linda Gallagher (Carl) of Lincoln. His beloved grandchildren are Kristen Goodwin (William) of Austin TX, Brett Lovgren (Margi) of Vienna VA, Dr. Todd Lovgren (Drue) of Denver CO, Laura Paul (Scott) of Stowe VT, Robert Gallagher (Tammy) of Lincoln, and Michael Gallagher (Tanya Casteel) of Raleigh NC. His beloved great grandchildren are Sebastian Goodwin, Nathaniel Lovgren, Annika Lovgren, Tyson Lovgren, Colton Lovgren, Kathryn Paul, Alexander Paul, Caden Gallagher, and Zoe Gallagher. Nieces and their families are Babs Weinberg (Mike and Andy) of Omaha, Susan Bahle (Tom, Brian, Brad and Lisa) of Dublin GA. Virginia Butler (Bill and Dan) of Grand Junction CO. His sister in-law is Margery Whitney of Wauconda IL. Nephews are Robert Whitney of Wauconda IL and David Whitney of Topeka KS. He is also survived by his beloved companion, Dorothy Yarbrough of Harlingen TX.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present to receive friend from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, 514 South E St., Harlingen TX 78550 or the Omaha Hearing School, 1110 North 66th St., Omaha NE 68132.
You are invited to leave a memory or condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert E. Lovgren, please visit our flower store.