Obituary: Jacobson, Bert Pedersen, Md
Age 94
(Age 94)
Born January 23, 1918 in Spokane, Washington, passed away September 3, 2012 at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center where he had served as president of the medical staff from 1980-81.
Bert was raised on a family farm in Mead, graduated from Mead High School and Gonzaga University, where he received a football scholarship.
He was the starting quarterback and kicker during the glory (and last) years of Gonzaga University football.
He received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1943 and joined the U.S. Navy as a medical officer on the battleship, U.S.S.
Stringham, in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.
He married his wife Helen, a nurse anesthetist, in 1944.
He began practicing medicine in Poulsbo, Washington (1946-50) before moving to Spokane and establishing a private practice as a general practitioner and surgeon from 1950-84.
He served as a doctor for the Spokane Fire Department, the Northern Pacific (Burlington Northern) Railroad and the North Central High School football team.
He and Helen raised three daughters and, as a family, they shared many happy days at Priest Lake, Idaho, where the family relaxed and Bert joyfully explored the woods, logged and chopped wood.
He was an avid skier, golfer, bird hunter and gardener.
Until his last days, Bert enjoyed playing bridge.
He was a member of Manito Golf and Country Club and was a charter member of “The Lunch Bunch,” started by coach Bill Frazier.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen and sister, Lina Ryan.
He is survived by his daughters, Patsy (Frank) Etter, Nancy Bettesworth and Judy (Dave) Nail all of Spokane; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and sister, Frances (Bill) Holcomb of Spokane.
Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 15 at Manito Golf and Country Club, 5303 S. Hatch Rd, Spokane.
There will be a private family interment with Military Honors at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Larry Bettesworth Pharmacy Scholarship Fund, c/o Providence Healthcare Foundation, 101 W. 8th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204; Reach for the Future!
(a college scholarship fund for low income students), P.O.
Box 30851, Spokane, WA 99223; or Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99258.
Please visit Bert’s online memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to: