Robert George "Bob" Hoellrich MD

Dr. Robert George Hoellrich Robert "Bob" Hoellrich, 67, of Grants Pass, Oregon died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 at his home of cancer. A memorial service open to the public will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm at the River Valley Community Church in Grants Pass, OR. A memorial service will also be held at the St Stephens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Defiance, Ohio on Oct. 1, 2011 at 3:00 pm. A private interment will be at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass with military honors. Stephens family chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences maybe sent to the family at www.stephensfc.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made to ASANTE Foundation for the "Pelvic Floor Lab" in memory of Dr. Robert G. Hoellrich at 500 SW Ramsey, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527. Dr. "Bob" was born Dec. 5, 1943 in Defiance, Ohio. A middle child raised in a real farming family with outhouse, wood cookstove, horses, and all by his parents and grandparents. He went to school in Ayersville, grades 1-12, all in the same building. He participated in class plays, choir, band (played the trumpet), Latin Club, treasurer, track, basketball, honor society, and was class president. He graduated Class of 1961. Bob went to college at Bowling Green State University where he started in the Navy ROTC. He graduated in 1965 with a major in chemistry and a minor in biochemistry and calculus. He took a road trip west one summer between college classes and fell in love with Oregon. Bob then went to medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicince and was in the honor medical society. While there, he also learned to fly airplanes, which he loved. He graduated from medical school in 1969. Bob did a one year Internship (1969-1970) in Portland at the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU). There he met Susan Miller. They married June 7, 1969 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Divorced) While in Portland he also learned the of pleasure snow skiing at Mt. Hood. Bob had enlisted in the Navy in 1968, and did active duty 1970-1972, with two tours to Vietnam on the aircraft carrier the USS Midway. He was a flight surgeon who did anesthesia on the ship. He earned several medals and a merit citation. He was a true patriot and remained in the Navy Reserves until 1978. Bob became an Aviation Medical Examiner and performed flight physicals since 1982. Bob's first son, Rudolf Hoellrich, was born Dec. 27, 1970 at the Lemore Naval Airstation in California. After his service, Bob did his Residency training at the Oschner Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana. That is where he trained in the colon rectal specialty. That is also where his twins, Christine Hoellrich and Robert Hoellrich, were born on Dec 5, 1974. He completed his residency in 1976. Bob moved his family west to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1976, where he joined the Grants Pass Clinic. There he worked as a general surgeon with colon and rectal specialty until 1990. Bob bought his dream farm in Grants Pass in 1977, where after work and weekends he continued his love of farming. He grew the best hay, raised long horns, and loved his horses. He also kept his family's historic farm in Defiance, Ohio. Where he continued to grow wheat, corn and soybeans. Dr. "Bob" met nurse LaRita deYoung and they married in 1988. They shared so many wonderful years together, with many adventures in medicine and farming. Bob went into private practice Jan. 1990, by the old Josephine Memorial Hospital, specializing in his colon/rectal surgical practice. He was the first doctor in Grants Pass to perform a colonoscopy. He was dedicated in preventing and treating colon, rectal and anal cancer and helping patients with pelvic floor disorders. Bob was a member of the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and the NW Society of Colon Rectal Surgeons. He served as President of the NW Society of Colon Rectal Surgeons in 2007 & 2008. Bob moved into his new office by Three Rivers Community Hospital June 2001, where he worked as long as he was able (Jan. 2011). He enjoyed and appreciated his patients, all the medical staff, colleagues, and his partner. He loved his family and friends. He also enjoyed cowboy poetry, welding, gardening, building rockwalls, studying engines, and of course tractors. Surviors include his wife LaRita deYoung, of Grants Pass; two sons, Rudolf Hoellrich and wife Terri of Eugene, OR, and Robert Hoellrich and wife Kym of Fayetteville, GA; one daughter, Christine Avila and husband Brian of Grants Pass; six grandchilren, Megan and Gavin Hoellrich, Ethan and Emily Hoellrich, and Aiden and Kaylen Avila; a sister, Kathy Moeller and husband John of Sidney, Ohio; a brother, Gene Hoellrich and wife Pat of Sidney, Ohio; Former wife, Susan Hoellrich of Grants Pass; an aunt, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by Parents George and LaVerne Hoellrich and Grandparents Rudolf and Caroline Hoellrich.

Service Information

Saturday, September 17th, 2011 1:00pm, River Valley Community Church

Details:

Service Extra Info Additional Services Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 3:00 PM St Stephens Lutheran Church 30304 New Bavaria Rd Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 395-1507