Dr. Robert J. Spencer KGCHS

Spencer, Dr. Robert J. KGCHS
Dr. Robert J. Spencer passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on July 26, 2013 in Phoenix, AZ. Bob was born in Chicago, IL. He served on the USS Bivin during World War II. Upon returning to the States, he attended Loyola University and received his medical degree in 1953 from Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. He married his love, Marion Alice (Lolly) Bremner, in 1955 and together they moved to Rochester, MN where they raised 6 children, and where Bob practiced as a surgeon at the Rochester Mayo Clinic from 1959 to 1990. He finished the remaining 5 years of his medical career at the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic, retiring in 1995, although he continued as a volunteer at the Clinic for many years thereafter. A respected practitioner and teacher of medicine, he was a professor at the Mayo Medical School, University of Minnesota Graduate School and Mayo Clinic Scottsdale; Head of Section, Colon and Rectal surgery at the Rochester Mayo Clinic; he authored over 75 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and editorials. He was a member and leader in a number of professional organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery, American Society of GI Endoscopy and numerous other medical societies. Bob enjoyed his personal and family time as a "gentleman farmer." An avid horseman, he blended his life-long love of horses with his political and religious beliefs. His children regularly participated in the annual Al Quie Trail Ride along with him. He belonged to hunt clubs in Minnesota and Arizona. He was in the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Spencer, as well as his siblings, John, Jr., Thomas, William, MaryAnn Flanigan and Helen Matthews. He is survived by his sister Bette Floberg, his wife Lolly, children, Denise Lindquist, Julia Lizama, Karen Spencer, Laura Connelly, Robert, Jr., and Michael as well as 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3801 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 10:00am. The interment is to follow at St. Francis Ceme
tery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to both the Mayo Medical School Alumni and Staff Scholarship fund or to the U.S. Equestrian Team.