NAPLES, Fla. – Robert E. Holmberg, M.D., 97, passed away Oct. 15, 2010. He was born Feb. 10, 1913, in Cleveland, the son of Edgar T. and Ellen A. (Hagelin) Holmberg. Dr. Holmberg received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Wooster in 1935, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, and his received his doctorate of medicine degree, again with honors, from Western Reserve University in 1939. He met his wife, Virginia Barker, M.D., in medical school while sharing a locker and an anatomy table. They were married in 1941, while both interns at University Hospitals in Cleveland, she in pediatrics and he in surgery. Dr. Holmberg served his country in World War II, serving as a flight surgeon in the Eighth Army Air Force in England, rising to the rank of major. After the war, he continued his surgical training at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cleveland. He had a practice in general surgery in Cleveland from 1948 to 1978, including considerable occupational medicine and surgery for the Lamp Division of General Electric, and for the Warner and Swasey Co. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, and a past president of Allen Memorial Medical Library, Cleveland. Retired in 1978, he and his wife moved to Naples, Fla., while spending several summers at their cottage on Lake Chatauqua in New York and in Orono with family. His hobbies included Civil War and Bible history, opera, the Cleveland Indians, woodworking, fishing for muskies, golf and croquet. He had many happy memories with his family at their summer cottage on Lake Chautauqua in New York, and at the Barker family summer cottages on Monhegan Island. It was there that he and his wife introduced their three sons to their love for nature, the ocean and adventure – messing around in boats, sailing, fishing and hiking. He had a legion of close and loyal friends, most of whom have predeceased him. He will be remembered fondly by his extended family as an enthusiastic, determined, endlessly responsible and intellectually curious man with a remarkable memory, great sense of humor, humble manner and genuine concern for others. He was a caring physician till the end. He was most thankful for his healthy, loving and productive family. His beloved wife, Virginia Barker Holmberg, M.D., died April 3, 2005. He is survived by his three sons and families, Robert E. Jr., M.D., and Joan MacCracken, M.D., of Brooksville and Bangor, William B. and Patty of Boca Grande, Fla., and John M. and his mate, Rose Broe, of Brisbane, Australia; four grandchildren, Tim, M.D., and Kristi Holmberg of Salt Lake City, Molly Holmberg Brown, Ph.D., and Eric Brown of Denver, Steve Holmberg, Master of Business Administration, of Portland, Ore., and Betsy Holmberg, Ph.D., of Chicago; two great-grandchildren, Josiah and Wyatt of Salt Lake City; and special family friend, Hester Rumberg, D.D.S., of Seattle. A small memorial service was held Oct. 16 at Bentley Village. A family celebration and interment will be held next summer on Monhegan Island. Donations in his memory may be made to Moorings Presbyterian Church endowment fund, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples, FL 43103.
ROBERT E. HOLMBERG, M.D.
