Robert Earl Theodore Rydell

Rydell Robert Earl Theodore Rydell, of Minnetonka, died April 15, 2004. Preceded in death by parents, Earl and Olive Peterson Rydell. He is survived by Susan Teommey Rydell, his wife of 38 years; son, Christopher Andrew Rydell (Sangrail) and granddaughter, Megan Anne Rydell of St. Louis Park; sister, Betty (Bill) Fierke of Oak Park Heights; sister, Carolyn Kreuzer of Edina; nephew, John Fierke and nieces, Susan Fierke, Carol Fierke, Beth DeBaere and Pam Hetland; grand-nephews and nieces; other relatives and very close friends. Born on June 18, 1924, in Minneapolis, he graduated from University High School in 1942. After attending Gustavus Adolphus College for one year, he served in WWII in the US Army. Following his return, he took advantage of his year and a half hospitalization with pulmonary tuberculosis by using the time to pursue his lifelong interests in art, music, investments and medicine. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in 1951, BS in 1953, and MD in 1955, when he received the award for the outstanding student in the Medical School senior class. He served a rotating internship at Minneapolis General Hospital (now HCMC)), and completed four and a half years as an NIH Fellow in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Minnesota. He then accepted a staff position at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center where he worked for 31 years with a professional appointment at the University of Minnesota Medical School. During the early years of his professional life, he served on the board of the former Swedish Hospital. A passionate conversationalist with a deep devotion to his family, friends, and faith, he pursued his many interests and followed a life of service during his retirement years. He served on the board of directors of Augustana Care Corporation and was board chair during the 100th Anniversary year in 1996. He represented Bethlehem Lutheran Church of North Minneapolis on the Consolidation Committee, a process which concluded with the consolidation of Bethlehem and Zion Lutheran Church in 2002. He served as interim council president for the new church, River of Life Lutheran Church. At the time of his death, he was on the boards of the Greater Gustavus Foundation, the River of Life Lutheran Church Foundation, and the Open Circle Adult Day Care Center; chair of the Augustana Care Corporation Strategic Planning Committee; and chair of the boards of directors of Augustana Health Care Center of Hastings and Park Ridge Apartments. Memorials preferred to River of Life Lutheran Church Foundation, Minnesota Medical Foundation of the University of Minnesota, Gustavus Adolphus College, or Augustana Health Care Center Endowment Fund. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 19 at 11 AM at River of Life Lutheran Church, 2200 Fremont Ave North, Minneapolis. Visitation begins at 9:30 AM before memorial service. CRYSTAL LAKE F.H. 612-521-3677