Dr. Yong Ho Park, M.D., age 85, died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Superior, MT. Yong was born in Seoul City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea (ROK) to the late Jong Seong Park and Min Hae Lee.

Yong is survived his wife, Mi Hwa, and children, Peter and his wife (Susan) of Missoula, MT; Gregory and his wife (Carissa) and children (Ariana and Christopher) of New Brighton, MN; Jae of Portland, OR; and Timothy of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his brother, In Ho of Pleasant Hill, CA; sister, Myoung Ho Kim and her husband, Byoung Gon of Incheon, ROK; sister, Ki Suk Kim and her husband, Wan Joon of Seoul, ROK; sister, Myoung Suk Lee of Daegu, ROK; cousin, Sang Ho Park of Bongmyeong-ri, ROK; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Yong was raised in the Yongin countryside and Seoul city, and he graduated from Bo Sung High School in 1959. He went on to pursue his education in pre-medicine at the College of Art and Science of Seoul National University from 1959-1961, and he successfully furthered his education to receive his medical doctorate from the Medical College of Seoul National University in 1965. He came to the United States for post-graduate training with an internship at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY from 1965-1966, followed by a residency in General Surgery at Madison General Hospital in Madison, WI from 1966-1969.

Due to mandatory military service requirements, Yong served with the Armed Service of South Korea from 1970-1973 at the Korean DMZ as a commander of the 56th Infantry Medical Company, as a surgeon at an evacuation hospital, and as a surgeon at the Medical Company of the White Horse (9th Infantry) Division in Vietnam in cooperation with the US military. After returning to the United States, Yong continued training as a General Surgery resident physician at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, and in 1975 he began practicing in Elkin, NC. While he never intended to stay in the United States after his training, he said the freedom he felt, that Americans inherently have, made him pursue naturalization, and he became a US citizen in 1978. Yong moved to Superior, MT in 1980 and practiced medicine at Mineral County Hospital as well as hospitals in Plains and St. Ignatius until he retired in 2006.

Dr. Park loved God and he loved Superior. He once said that Superior was the place God wanted him to be, and it always reminded him of his hometown. Yong was an honorable man who always worked to help others. His compassion for people will truly be missed. Yong collected many titles and certifications over his life that reflected his passions and his love of lifelong learning. To name a few: Private Pilot, Licensed Southern Baptist Preacher, Diplomat of the American Board of Abdominal Surgery, Gideon, Adjunct Professor of Clinical Medicine, Founder of the Korean Baptist Church of Missoula, and President of the Korean Association of Montana. If you happened to cross paths or see Yong, he was likely working on house projects, headed to the airport, wandering about on an ATV or motorcycle, or going to the post office. He was an avid photographer, short-wave radio enthusiast, and he found great joy as a woodworking hobbyist.

The family sincerely thanks the residents in the town of Superior (and greater Montana) who have supported, helped, and visited with Dr. Park for these many years.

A service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11AM MDT at the Clark Fork Fellowship (502 Pike ST, Superior, MT 59872). A streaming option may be available for those relatives and friends who are unable to attend; those interested should email requests to [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Missoulian on Apr. 4, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Yong Park

Sponsored by Garden City Funeral Home - Missoula.

12 Entries

Terry Orr

April 14, 2024

Dr. Park performed an emergency appendectomy on me in the early 80's in St. Ignatius & visited me several years later when I had hepatitis. He was kind & caring & had a great sense of humor. He was one of the very best. My deepest condolences to his family.

Marcie Rapier

April 8, 2024

I, my family met Dr. Park in the 80´s, however, I never really "knew" the man. What an amazing life.
We once live up the street from he and his family,

kenneth Scott

April 8, 2024

What a wonderful Doctor and Human Being. He was a ER doctor here in St. Ignatius for a period of time in the early 80's. I was a Medic on the Ambulance here and brought patients to his ER. So very kind, he was and I so enjoyed our conversations. I was lucky to see him last year fixing a radio he had that was not functioning properly. An avid pilot, and a great friend. You will be missed, GODSPEED.

Bernard and Sharon Patteson

April 7, 2024

Dr Park was a friend, employer and personal physician. One of many memories i (Sharon) have is an airplane ride from Superior to Missoula. What an awesome experience. It was an honor to have crossed paths with Dr. Park and be able to call him friend. God Bless his family and may you find strength in God´s love and grace.

Diana Campbell

April 7, 2024

My father, Robert Ruthford, was a pilot in the Korean War. Dr. Park had once kiddingly said that he was probably running away from the bombs my father was dropping. They later became great friends. My father was Dr. Parks' pilot instructor. He died on the same day my father did. I think my father came down and flew Dr. Parks to heaven. Niner, niner287, tango, tango ( I don't know Dr. Parks' call or else I would have written it.)
Diana Campbell

Andrea (Andi) Martineau Colson

April 6, 2024

In my small hometown of Superior, MT a man named Dr. Park left an undeniable mark on the community through his unwavering dedication and care. It was 43 years ago when my mother went into labor months early, and Dr. Park´s quick decisive actions first impacted my life. With his characteristic straightforwardness, he rode in the back of the ambulance with my Mom and directed the driver to break land speed records to reach the nearest NICU center in Missoula.

As the years passed, Dr. Park´s influence continued to shape my life. I vividly remember my first airplane ride with Dr Park. I was still small enough to fit in Timmy`s car seat in the back of the plane as we bounced up and down the runway, and then looked for animals and mountain lakes.

Dr Park´s commitment to serving others was further exemplified during my high school years when I had the opportunity to shadow him in the operating room as part of an internship program. Dr. Park was a born educator. He saw every surgery as an opportunity not only to heal but also to teach. With each procedure, he would invite observers like myself to watch closely, knowing that the experience would be a valuable learning opportunity. As he meticulously worked to remove tumors, fix bad breaks, amputate bad limbs, or repair adhesions, he would explain each step with clarity and patience.

I remember with fascination how he would carefully dissect and examine the major components of a patient´s abdomen, searching for signs of disease. Once the surgery was complete and everything restored to its proper place, Dr. Park´s teaching didn´t end. He would quiz me on what I had witnessed, challenging me to recall the intricacies of the procedure and reinforcing my understanding of anatomy.

Dr. Park´s love for music and his belief in its benefits extended even into the operating room. As he performed surgeries, whether it was Beethoven, Mozart, or the soaring melodies of opera that filled the room, he saw it as more than just background noise. "It´s good for the mind," he´d say in a serious fact giving tone of voice.

Dr. Park´s approach wasn´t just about performing surgeries; it was about instilling knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of medicine in those around him. His dedication to teaching, coupled with his skill as a surgeon, left a lasting impression on me and shaped my appreciation for medicine.

Dr. Park remained steadfast in his commitment to his patients. I witnessed this when my Mom was first diagnosed with cancer. His willingness to prioritize urgent surgeries and personally follow up by calling his patients, even at the expense of his own vacation, highlighted his selflessness and dedication to his profession.

Beyond his medical expertise, Dr. Park´s faith and belief in sharing God´s Word were integral parts of his identity. His involvement with the Gideons organization and his dedication to telling others how Christ changed his life has left a lasting impact on those around him.

Though I may not be a doctor or surgeon like Dr. Park, his influence continues to guide me in my endeavors. I strive to approach my work with the same level of dedication, compassion, and commitment to lifelong learning that he embodied. As I reflect on his life and legacy, I am reminded to embrace the values of service, faith, and continuous growth.

Dr. Park´s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the example he set for future generations. His unwavering dedication to serving the Lord, his family, his community, and his country serves as a testament to the impact that one individual can have. Well done, Dr. Park, well done.

Kim Goodman

April 5, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear of Dr. Park's passing. Peter and I met through the College Music Society and he even traveled to Korea together as part of that delegation. Much love to the entire family.

Mark miner

April 5, 2024

Dr park saved my life almost 40 years ago following a grizzly bear attack. My condolences to the family. He was a true Healer

Betty Edwards

April 5, 2024

Dr. Park was my Doctor for many years and took such good care of my whole family going back to my grandparents. He took care of my kids and my inlaws also. We went to church with him. He was not only our doctor but we considered him a family friend!! He was a wonderful man and will be greatly miss!!

Dawn Terrill

April 4, 2024

Dr. Park is an icon to the Superior folks who went to him for all of their ( family) medical needs. We are blessed to have had him in our community.
Wishing peace for his family,
Dawn Terrill

Christy Hollenback

April 4, 2024

My prayers are with you as you navigate this difficult loss. I appreciate the wonderful care Dr Park provided over the years for grandma and my parents. It was so nice to have the continual presence of a doctor dedicated to the community instead one using the job as a launching board for another position. I know he was a man of faith and fully prepared to meet the Lord which I hope gives comfort to the grief you feel.

Randy Lovell DO

April 4, 2024

I am sorry for your loss. I still think about DR Park a lot. I make references to him. He was a big yardstick. He made me a better doctor and person. I will be forever grateful for what he taught me.

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