Dorothy Barbo

Dorothy Marie Barbo was born on May 28, 1932 to William & Marie Stelsel Barbo in River Falls, WI. The Lord took her to Heaven from ABQ on February 21, 2026. She grew up in America's dairy land in western Wisconsin. Dorothy graduated as valedictorian from Hammond High School in 1950. In 1954 she received a BA degree in Biology, cum laude, from Asbury University in Kentucky. In 1958 she received an MD degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison. Further training in Obstetrics & Gynecology was at Milwaukee Hospital and an American Cancer Society cancer fellowship at Marquette University. Her goal was to teach & train around the world to make a difference in the lives of women.

She served on the faculty of four medial schools during her 65 year career in academic medicine: Marquette University (now Medical College of WI), Christian Medical College at Ludhiana of Punjab University in India, Medical College of Philadelphia, and the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in ABQ. She retired in 1999 as Professor Emeritus. The next ten years she traveled overseas to continue to teach, train & practice medicine in over twenty trips to Africa, Asia, and South America.

Dorothy was an active member of multiple medical organizations and served on committees as an officer, and in teaching. She was a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and of the American College of Surgeons. She served as president of the Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, president of the national Christian Medical & Dental Associations, and a member of the FDA committee on Maternal & Fetal Health.

Active in the churches where she was a member, she served teaching Sunday School, active in mission activities, and lay leadership.

Loving the outdoors, she was an active birder and gardener growing roses and herbs which she called her sanity time. She was a connoisseur of fine teas after living in India. A large collection of antique tea tins, memorabilia , and tea caddy spoons was her joy.

Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Charles, cousins Joel Klanderman & John Stelsel. She leaves to mourn her six nieces and nephews: Brian Barbo, Laura Ostdiek (Bob), Sharon Stephenson (Will), Karen Breshears (Robert), Eric Barbo (Susie), Rodney Barbo (Rebecca) and a host of great nephews & nieces, cousins Joyce Walen, Anne Frost, Krista Klanderman (Kurt Wismer) and many friends. A Memorial Service will be held on April 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St Stephens United Methodist Church 4601 Juan Tabo Blvd NE. Memorials to Dorothy can be sent to scholarships she endowed for medical students: the Dr. Barbo Scholarship for Ludhiana at https://ludhianacmcusa.org/donate/ or the Dorothy M. Barbo WMAA Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin at
https://supportuw.org/giveto/Barboscholars