Gerald Wallace Koos, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on Aug. 10, 2008. He was born in Minneapolis, on Sept. 14, 1929, Jerry was the middle child of Ferdinand and Gertrude Kuss. Jerry was a physician, teacher, artist, and avid outdoorsman. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School (1947), Gustavus Adolphus College (1951), and the University of Minnesota Medical School (1956). Jerry also attended the University of Kentucky (1952) as a graduate student in genetics. After earning his medical degree, Jerry served in the Public Health Service, and was stationed in Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Fort Defiance, Arizona, and New York City. Following that service, Jerry returned to his native Minnesota and established a medical practice in Heron Lake, Minnesota with lifelong friend Bruce Sundberg. In 1962, Jerry returned to the University of Minnesota for residency training in urology, graduating in 1965. He joined Urologic Physicians (Edina) after graduation, and maintained ties to the University Medical School as a clinical professor for the duration of his medical career. Jerry was active in medical leadership, and served as President of the Minneapolis Academy of Medicine and as Chief of Staff at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. Jerry had an affinity for children, and pediatric urology was a strong professional focus. Jerry married Mary Joan Bergquist on Aug. 2, 1952, and together they raised six children. Following retirement in 1990, Jerry and Mary Jo settled in Lutsen, Minn., where Jerry enjoyed a second career as an artist and sculptor. In 2007, Jerry and Mary Jo moved to Duluth to be nearer to family. Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; six children, sons, Shaun (Kathleen) of Wenatchee, Wash., Zane (Evia) of Duluth, Tyler (Angelique) of Cass Lake, Minn., and Fletcher (Carol) of Duluth; daughters, Heidi Shaughnessy (William) of Rochester, Minn., and Kirsten Koos (Michael McGrail) of Albequerque, N.M.; brother, Fred Kuss, Port Charlotte, Fla.; and sister, Barbara White, Seal Beach, Calif.;. Jerry was also devoted to his 16 grandchildren; and shared with them his passions for both fishing and swimming. He was especially pleased to have one of the grandchildren he encouraged swim at the recent U.S. Olympic Trials. CELEBRATION OF LIFE:1 p.m., Aug. 26, 2008 in Elsing Chapel, 4002 London Rd, Duluth. In lieu of flowers, charities important to Jerry were Lakeshore Development Fund and the Wenatchee (WA) YMCA's ""Every Child a Swimmer'' program. Services entrusted to Cremation Society of MN, (218) 624-5200.
This obituary was originally published in the Duluth News Tribune.
