Robert Stansbury Hagstrom

Robert S. Hagstrom, known as Bob or Doc, died of natural causes at his home on March 29, 2007.
Bob was born on Aug. 4, 1920, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Ray Gunnar Hagstrom and Harriet Ross Hagstrom. His younger brother, Ted, was born two years later. Their father was the director of a multi-faceted ministry to the poor, Christ Mission Settlement. When Bob was 15, his brother died in an auto accident.
After college, Bob enrolled in medical school at Columbia Physicians & Surgeons in New York. While there, friends invited him on a blind date with a lovely nursing student from New Jersey, Evelyn Williams. His plans for bachelorhood evaporated.
Bob enlisted in the Navy and continued his medical training. He and Evy were married in 1946, when she finished nurses training. In 1949, their first son, Gunnar, was born in Cooperstown, N.Y. A daughter, Kris, was born soon afterward in Albuquerque, N.M. Bob left in 1950 for Korea, where he served in a M.A.S.H. unit in the Korean War. After returning, he continued his training in urology, and moved his family to Houston, where Kath and Biff were born.
Bob and Evy both wanted to raise their family in the West. When a colleague told them about a new clinic in Billings that needed a urologist, Bob took the train to Billings for a job interview. He liked the town and the Billings Clinic, and was given a position there. Evy bravely agreed to move with him to Montana in March of 1954. They always believed that God had led them to Billings. In 1956 the family moved to the Alkali Creek area, and two more sons were born: Dave and Dan.
Bob was beloved as a doctor because of his kindness and compassion, and his easy-going style. He was part of the Clinic for 31 years and did surgery at Deaconess Hospital. He was always committed to exercise, and began to jog in the early '60s. He kept track of his miles and had a real sense of accomplishment when he had jogged "around the world."
The underlying purpose of Bob's life was to help people know God personally through Jesus Christ. In 1960 he and other young men sponsored a week of meetings in Billings that sparked a deep spiritual interest among men who had not previously been aware of God's personal love for them. The week was a turning point for Bob and for many others; the impact continues today as people gather in small groups all over Billings for the purpose of following Jesus.
For the rest of their lives, Bob and Evy invested in others' lives. They did this through short-term medical missions; local ministries like Young Life, Community Leadership Development Inc. (CLDI), Americas Hand in Hand, and Peacemaker Ministries; Bible studies and small groups; the churches they were part of over the years; jail ministry; and hundreds of books they gave away with enthusiasm.
Bob was a great conversationalist with a wide range of interests, from missions to science to politics to heavy equipment. Over the years he mentored many young men who treasured their times with him.
When a new church, Hope Center, was planted in the South Side of Billings, Bob and Evy were enthusiastically involved. They were dedicated prayer supporters as the Church grew into an instrument of God's grace to the people in that neighborhood.
In 2004 Evy died. As he grieved, Bob's physical strength began to wane. He continued to focus on others, especially through faithful prayer for family, friends, and many other matters he cared about. His life continued to exemplify someone who fixed his eyes "on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
Bob was grateful for the gift of six children, 18 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. The children are Gunnar Theodore (children: Heidi (husband: Doug Schrock; daughter: Abigail) and Josh (children: Jonathan, Angelica, and Grace)); Kristin Ann Hart (husband: Steven; son: David, who preceded Bob to Heaven); Kathryn Adams McRae of Jordan, Mont., (husband: Jack; children: Cora (husband: Ryan Best), Ian (wife: Zoey Berklund), Kristin, and Malcolm); Robert S. Jr. "Biff" (wife: Brenda; children: Katie, Ally, Rob, and Marianne); David Ross (wife: Cindy; children: Abram, Jhancet (sons: Jayden and Ezekiel), Tensy, and Hudson); and Daniel Fuller of Lakewood Colo., (children: Lucy, Andy, and Sally).
Bob's family warmly thanks the loving friends who were a joy to him and who continue to be a blessing to his children and their families.
A memorial service for Bob will be held at Faith Chapel (Shiloh Ave. and Broadwater in Billings) at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10. Memorials may be given to Community Leadership & Development Inc. (PO Box 3381, Billings, 59103) or another ministry of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel.