Dr Reed Fife

DR. R. REED FIFE WASHINGTON, UT -- Robert Reed Fife passed away Monday, September 26, 2005, at the age of 83 in Washington, Utah, at the home of his daughter. Reed was born May 16, 1922, in Ammon, Idaho, the third of nine children born to Robert Lee Fife and Zenobia Helena Soelberg Fife. He received his education in the Ammon public school system and, with the exception of his college years and military service, was a life-long resident of Ammon and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Reed graduated from the University of Idaho in 1945 and the University of Oregon School of Medicine in 1949. He married Dorothy Mae Augustine June 29, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple August 1, 1952. Reed served as a captain in the U. S. Air Force from 1953-1955 and was the senior partner in a busy pediatric practice in Idaho Falls from 1952-1987. Reed was involved in various professional and civic activities throughout Bonneville County, including serving on the Boards of Development Workshop, Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, Idaho Falls Community Chest, and the Bonneville County Red Cross. He was a Diplomat, American Board of Pediatrics, and a member of the Idaho State Medical Society. He held multiple positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, in 1990, he and Dorothy served a humanitarian mission to Romania. He enjoyed fishing, reading, his family, and music. Reed is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and five children, Robert Fife of New Franken, Wisconsin; Richard (Laurel) Fife of Hawthorne, California; Randall (Lizette) Fife of Moscow, Idaho; Raymond (Robin) Fife of Irvine, California; Susanne (Rex) Wilkey of Washington, Utah. He has 18 grandchildren. Seven brothers survive him, Leland of Boise, Idaho; LaVon of Provo, Utah; Marlyn of Salt Lake, Utah; Lynn of Burlington, Vermont; Ronald of Nampa, Idaho; Merrill of Lindon, Utah; and Allen of Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Dale Reed Fife, and a sister, Roine Fife Thorup. The family extends appreciation for the generous services of Odyssey Hospice. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2005, at the Idaho Falls LDS 15th Ward, 2051 South Emerson, with Bishop Steve Parry officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge) and Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls, under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team. _____________________________________________ Condolences sent: Kelly Fife, M.D. (kdfife@comcast.net) As a fellow physician and fisherman, I felt "close" to Uncle Reed more than I ever really knew him. I most knew him though before I ever became a physician or much of a fisherman. It was his values, even judgement, and sense of humor that most impressed me then. I extend my condolences to his family who are experiencing the loss of a great man as I knew him. Sincerely, Kelly Fife Scott and Tauna Fell (mommafell@yahoo.com) I write today to tell you that our son Brandon is alive today because of Dr. Fife. His knowledge, wisdom and kindness saw our family through some very harsh times. Our son Brandon was born in 1980 with a malignant tumor on his left hip. Dr. Fife was the first to suspect a problem and refered us to Primary Children's Medical Center. He wasn't the first doctor to see Brandon but he was the first to act. If he had not been, Brandon would not be here today. He was the first to put his arms around a very scared mother four years later when the caner returned in Brandon's lung. He, along with his colleages, saw fit to reduce an enourmous bill for a family that was struggling to pay it after many many treatments. Dr. Fife also consented to administer those treatments under the direction of the doctors at PCMC to save the family even more expense for travel. We love and respect Dr. Fife. He truly was an angel on this earth. We always think of him. The earth seems a little more lonely now that he is gone. Sincerely, The Fell Family Rhonda Stuart (walker@ida.net) Dorothy and family, When our son, Dan, was born in 1984, he was paralysed from the waist down. We were blessed to be put in the hands of a wonderful, talented doctor. Dr.Fife became our support and friend as we traveled down this long road with our son. I can't even begin to tell you the many visits I had with Dr. Fife where I was emotionally upset and not sure I could continue to confront all of the problems my son was going through at the time. I would always walk out of Dr. Fife's office with a smile on my face and the courage to help my son in his life. Dr. Fife was truly an angel put in our lives. As the years have gone by, Dan has gone from walking as a young child to a man in his Senior year of college. All throughout these years, our contact with your husband and father has been a blessing in our lives. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us. Our Angel has left our lives but, will never leave our hearts and memories. We will miss him very much. Rhonda, Skip, and Dan Stuart Ray W. Rigby (serekson@rigby-thatcher.com) I've known Reed since we were freshmen together at the University of Idaho and living in the LDS House in 1941. We have maintained a friendly relationship ever since, including taking our families, together with the Seth Jenkins family, through Yellowstone Park one summer. Our family also used his professional services. All of our association was so very pleasant. Reed was such a wonderful and humble person; I have never known anyone, not of my family, who I respected and honored more. His family has a rich heritage, and I express my love and ask for the blessings of our Heavenly Father to be upon them. Ruby Knapp (jo325@cableone.net) Dear Dorothy, With understanding sympathy, I am thinking of you with remembrance and prayers in this time of loss. You touched Howard and my life many time and I will always remember the love you showed us when Howard's mother died. The beautiful rose you planted still blooms. Your dear husband was someone very special and will always be remembered for all the good he has done. With Love, Ruby Knapp & daughter Joyce McBride Mary & Bob Gehrke (RJMLGehrke@aol.com) Dear Dorothy and Family, We were saddened to hear of Dr. Fife's passing. Although our family went to Ron Lechelt, we did sometimes see Dr. Fife when our children were sick. I remember one time in particular our eldest daughter, Marie, was very sick. I brought her into the office and Dr. Fife saw her. He had me take her to the hospital immediately. She had meningitis and was in hospital for about a week. She is fine today, thanks to his quick action. He was a very compassionate person in addition to being a skilled pediatrician. Thank all of you for sharing him with our communitiy. May you find peace in knowing we care. Sincerely, Mary and Bob Gehrke Wanda Stommel Patterson (pattersonw@grandtetoncouncil.org) I am sorry of the passing of Dr. Fife. I had the utmost confidence in his help of caring for my children. He was very caring and patient with them and thought about their welfare. I have missed him greatly in the raising of my grand-daughter. Gregg and Trudena Fager (gfager@peoplepc.com) Gregg and his parents visited Brother Fife in the Idaho Falls Hospital this year and had a chance to thank him again for his friendship. We thank all of you for sharing the best of life with us and with other members of our family. You are the best of people and the best of friends. We pray for your comfort. With our love, Gregg and Trudena Fager Farmington, Utah Mary Flegel (maryflegel@msn.com) Please accept my sincere good wishes to your family as you complete the process of saying goodbye to your husband, father, and grandfather, Dr. Fife. I'd like to tell you that Dr. Fife saved the life of my oldest son about 30 years ago. I brought my 18 month old child into his office on 9th and Oxford and he immediately recognized the condition, Menengocoxcemia. He told me that I was fortunate to have seen him rather than one of the other doctors since he didn't think any other doctor in town but him had actually seen someone with this disease. He told me to go immediately to the hospital. He warned me not to go home or stop to see anyone, just go to the hospital and check in my son, Rex. He promised to wrap things up quickly and follow me there. Once there he quickly went to work and took aggressive action to save my son. We had a few scary days but Rex survived, thanks to the experience, quick thinking, and expert work of Dr. Fife and a wonderful blessing provided by the president of the hospital and one of the janitors. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with this community. I know it must have been difficult at times. Doctor's hours can't be pleasant for the family of the doctor, but the time he spent serving our community saved the life of my son and, I'm sure, many more children over the years. I will always have gratitude in my heart for Dr. Fife. I rejoice with you in the knowledge that you will be with him again. Mary Flegel Don Parker [parkerdp@srv.net] Dear Mrs. Fife and Children, May I take this time to express appreciation to you for allowing Dr. Fife to be the only true care giver our children ever knew. He was a doctor who cared deeply for the children he saw. The only time he ever got upset was if we didn't do all we could to make sure the children were well. He made us feel at ease when we came for help. He helped us understand what he wanted done to help our children get better. He was and is the only doctor I knew that wanted our children to heal as much as we did. We moved from the area in 1985 and by the time we returned he had gone in other directions to serve. We missed him then. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy at this time of loss. Thank you for sharing his time and talents with so many, he was a great doctor and a good man. May Heavenly Father comfort you as you remember the good things he has done. May the knowledge of eternity give you the strength to endure this trial. Don and Pat Parker and Children Rulon & Joan Robison (jjhr36@aol.com) Dear Dorothy and family, We have just learned of the death of your sweetheart and father. We extend our condolences and love to you all. We have such fond memories of Reed, as a special friend, and his wonderful service to all of our children as their doctor. We are serving a medical mission in Nauvoo but our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time. We love you. Rulon & Joan Robison RaNae Stuart Jenkins (georgia.jenkins@gmail.com) Our family was very sad to see that Dr Fife had passed away. He took care of my brothers and sister and I while we were growing up, he was the best. I was very disapointed that he had retired by the time I had my own daughter. I remember my parents, Warren and Verda Stuart, calling him many times in the middle of the night with my many bouts of ear infections. He was not just a great Doctor but a fantastic human being. Our hearts go out to his family. The Warren Stuart Family.