Robert Phillips Jordheim

Dr. Robert (Bob) Phillips Jordheim, age 88, departed his earthly life to return to his Creator on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, on a beautiful spring morning. Throughout his life, Bob was a very committed husband and father. Bob had many passions in life: from medicine to cooking to carpentry, he had a long list of skills that amazed those who knew him. Bob had a great sense of compassion for others, and never failed to help those in need. His sense of humor, love of the outdoors, and ceaseless energy endured up to his last minute.

Bob was born on March 19, 1929, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. He was the son of Oscar P. and Viola Larson Jordheim, long time residents of Fargo. He graduated in 1946 from Fargo Central High School. Bob received his B.S. (1950) and B.S.M (1952) from the University of North Dakota, and received his M.D. from Northwestern University School of Medicine (1954). Bob completed his internship at Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, Michigan and his fellowship in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Bob served his country as a medical officer in the United States Air Force and was discharged as a Major.

Bob was a senior at Fargo Central High when he first spotted a sophomore girl named Janet Howe. Bob was determined to meet the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. It was truly love at first sight. After nine years of constant correspondence and medical school behind him, Bob and Janet were married July 12, 1955. Bob and Janet began their lives together in Big Spring, Texas, where Bob served in the U.S. Air Force. After a few years, they moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where Bob completed his fellowship. They returned to Fargo to live and raise their family. For 37 years, Bob practiced internal medicine in Fargo, beginning in 1960 at the Fargo Clinic and St. Luke’s Hospital, and retiring from the successor organization, MeritCare, in 1997. During this period Bob served in a number of positions including Chairman of the Fargo Clinic Board and Board of Trustees and Chief of Staff of St. Luke’s Hospital.

Bob and Janet are survived by their four loving children. Mary (Frank) Gokey, Sarah (Steve) Underdal, Robert (Carey) Jordheim Jr., Frank (Krista) Jordheim, and eight wonderful grandchildren, Charles and Sarah Gokey, Robert and Katie Underdal, Porter and Gus Jordheim, and Macy and Samantha Jordheim. Bob also leaves behind many dear friends at Touchmark.

With sincere gratitude, Bob’s family would like to thank the people at Fargo Eventide who cared for him during the last few months of his life. Your compassion and care made the last days of his journey home easier to bear.

Memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army or a similar charity of your choice.