Robert Charles KNUTSON M.D.

Beloved Dad, "Boppa", Uncle, and Friend Age 91, of St. Paul, MN Died peacefully on June 26, 2013. Preceded in death by his wife Eleanor Gray Knutson, his son John Russell Knutson (Cate Murphy), his mother Katherine, his father Charles, his brother Frank, and his grandniece Renee Hurtgen. He is survived by his son Robert C. Knutson, Jr., his daughters Harriette (Cookie) Jandric (Frank) and Nancy Stendahl (Allen), 10 grandchildren: Lindsay Knutson (engaged to Bob Bejblik), Charlie Knutson, Tracy Knutson, Jessica Jandric Tickner (Josh), Peter Jandric (engaged to Katherine Mezzano), Kate Knutson and Jack Knutson (children of John and Juli Knutson), Lea Stendahl, Bryan Stendahl, and Mark Stendahl, 3 great-granddaughters: Flora Bejblik, and Ellie and Hazel Tickner, and 4 nieces: Kris Knutson Merrifield, Cindy Knutson Merrifield, Kathy Knutson Hurtgen, and Suzie Knutson Sullivan. Born in Rolf, IA, Feb. 7, 1922, he spent his childhood in Blue Earth, MN. After graduating from the U of M Medical School in 1946, he served an internship at St. Louis City Hosp., two yrs. in the Army Medical Corps at Fitzsimons General Hosp. in Denver, and trained as a Fellow in Anesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic where he was elected to membership in Sigma Xi. He then became Head of the Dept. of Anesthesiology at St. Luke's Hosp. in St. Paul. During this time, he also conducted pioneering research in electrical anesthesia. He subsequently was a founding partner of Associated Anesthesiologists where he practiced at Miller, St. Luke's, United, Children's, St. Joseph's, and Shriner's Hospitals until he retired in 1987. He was a longtime member of The House of Hope Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder, Trustee, and President of the Board of Trustees. He was devoted to all music and the arts, especially painting. He studied classical realism for 20 yrs. at Atelier Lack and created many beautiful landscapes, still lifes, and portraits of family and friends. He played tennis and golf alongside his beloved Ellie and truly loved all of nature's wonders. He was a generous and kind man with a genuine interest in everyone and everything. He will be dearly missed. Sincere thanks to the dedicated, caring staff at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks. A memorial service and reception will be held at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3rd. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Parkinson's Foundation or ALS Association.