Donald Barcome

Donald Barcome

GRAND FORKS - Donald Francis Barcome MD, 80, Grand Forks, passed away at his home May 18, 2008.

Donald Francis Barcome was born in Oconto Falls, Wis., March 13, 1928, the son of Earl and Eleanor (Neumann) Barcome. Don began school in Green Bay and at St. John's Prep, Collegeville, Minn. He graduated with honors from St. Norbert's College, DePeere, Wis., in 1949, and received his doctorate in medicine from University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1954. Following his internship at St. John's Hospital, Marshfield, Wis., he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in San Diego, as a medical officer at Balboa Navy Hospital. It was while on shore leave he met a Navy physical therapist named Shirley Shepard. They married a few months later on April 26, 1957, and together began a general practice in Gillett, Wis., near Don's family lake home at Star Lake. Noting that over 70 percent of the patients he was seeing had chronic diseases with problems secondary to long term illness, Dr. Barcome and his wife made the decision to continue Dr. Barcome's education in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Upon receiving his certification in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Barcome's search for a medical practice brought him to North Dakota during a December blizzard. He interviewed for a position as medical director of University of North Dakota Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Forks. When he saw the facility and met the staff he knew that he had found his place. The Barcome family moved to Grand Forks that year and it was here Dr. Barcome would reside until his death.

Dr. Barcome initiated plans for a new rehab facility and after years of planning the new Medical Center Rehabilitation Hospital opened in 1974, becoming one of the finest and most highly-acclaimed rehab institutions in the United States. For the next 33 years, he made his patients and the Rehab Hospital his mission in life. Dr. Barcome's signature service "above and beyond the call" continued as he personally traveled across the state of North Dakota, contacting individual physicians and various medical society groups, explaining the important role of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary rehabilitative medicine. Each patient and family touched became a testimonial to his seemingly endless efforts. Following the death of Shirley, his wife, in 2000, Dr. Barcome returned to the practice of medicine joining Dr. Brian Briggs at Valley Bone and Joint Clinic, seeing patients until January 2008. Throughout his over 40 years of service to "his" community, Dr. Barcome cared for thousands of patients and enjoyed his relationship with a multitude of employees at the Rehab Hospital and Valley Bone and Joint Clinic, as well as his many peers at various local and regional medical facilities.

His passions were strong in any endeavor he undertook. When fall days came, Doc would find a moment to grab a gun and head to the Burnstad area for duck and upland game hunting. As years passed, the trip was more about the camaraderie and the area than the hunt, and visiting the gravesite of Shirley. Walking the shelter belts and watching the dogs run made for unforgettable moments and brought to life long-time memories. The hunts were always about good friends, good food and good times with family and, of course, the dogs. During his stay in the hospital, the best moments for him were the visits from not only friends, family and colleagues, but also from his pets, Gussie and Gigi. His smile would be radiant when they lay with him on his hospital bed.

Another passion was curling. Dr. Barcome played with passion and coached with equal passion as he helped lead his sons to three U.S. National Junior titles, as well as Bronze and Gold medals in the World Junior Championships. He also passionately enjoyed the successes of his grandchildren, including their scholastic, karate, curling, gymnastic and dancing achievements. Through all of the passions of his life, Doc's constant companion, his wife Shirley, was beside him. Through the professional times, through the family/friend good times and through the difficult times, they were partners.

His involvements and memberships included Third District Medical Society; professor and chairman, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; medical director, Medical Center Rehabilitation Hospital (1965-1998); Board of Governor's American Hospital Association Section on Rehabilitation; served on the board of directors for Grand Forks Curling Club, Grand Forks Country Club, N.D. State Curling Association, U.S. Curling Association and World Curling Federation; president, Grand Forks Curling Club, U.S. Curling Association, U.S. Curling Foundation, World Curling Federation, N.D. State Medical Association; vice president, N.D. State Medical Association; member of council, N.D. State Medical Association; and speaker, House of Delegates, N.D. State Medical Association. Dr. Barcome was the recipient of Greater Grand Forks Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, 1982; National Sertoma Award - The Evergreen Award in 1981; North Dakota Physician of the Year Award, 1975; was a member of U.S. Curling Association Hall of Fame; and he was honorary president, World Men's Curling Championships 2008.

Dr. Barcome is survived by his children, Don Jr. (Lori), Grand Forks, Shirley Jo (James Pagel), Galesville, Wis., and Earl (Brenda), Colorado Springs, Colo.; three grandchildren, Jeremy, Nathanial and Anna Pagel; his brother, Bill (Shirley) Barcome; his sisters, Dawn (Robert) Delacenserie and Monie (Robert) Jonet, all of Green Bay, Wis., and Naomi Schaetz, Muskegon, Mich.; his sister-in-law, Kathy (Leon) Larson, Dunwoody, Ga.; as well as many nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind 43 years' worth of friendships formed while living in Grand Forks.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley, in 2000; his father, Earl, in 1942; his mother, Eleanor, in 2006; his brother, Father Earl Barcome; his brothers-in-law, Sharon Shepard and Kenneth Schaetz; and his in-laws, Fritz and Leah Shepard.

Memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks. Interment will be in Burnstad Cemetery next to his beloved Shirley.

Family greeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel, 2950 S. Washington St., Grand Forks. Military honors by members of American Legion Post 157 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, East Grand Forks, Minn.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com.