Dr. Fred D. Banfield
Wednesday, October 7, 1936
Date of Death:
Friday, May 24, 2013
Age:
76 years old
Wednesday, October 7, 1936
Date of Death:
Friday, May 24, 2013
Age:
76 years old
Wednesday, October 7, 1936
Date of Death:
Friday, May 24, 2013
Age:
76 years old
Dr. Fred D. Banfield
Dr. Fred D. Banfield, 76, died Friday, May 24, 2013, while in the special care of Season’s Hospice after battling a lengthy illness. Born in Brooklyn, New York on October 7, 1936, he graduated from Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, PA, Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.
Fred married Gilda (Jill) Lepone on November 26, 1960 in Moorestown, NJ. After completing a medical internship in Allentown, PA, he moved the family to Alaska where Fred served his military requirement in the Public Health Service. In 1965 he moved the family to Rochester, MN and Fred was the sixth physician to join what is now known as Olmsted Medical Center. In 1980, he started the Chatfield Medical Center and in 1987 the Rochester Family Medicine Clinic. He had a great passion for helping entire families solve their medical problems.
For many years Fred’s life revolved around staying active and physical fitness. Another great passion was racquetball and he was honored with inductions to both the Rochester Racquetball Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Racquetball Hall of Fame in 1988. He loved to compete at anything. Whether it was racquetball, running, golf, or cribbage, he loved to “win”.
He is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Gilda (Jill) Banfield, and five children, JoEllyn (Deryck) Jolstad of Minneapolis, Fritz Banfield of Rochester, Raymond (Jill Yavitt) Banfield of Winnetka, IL, Liz (Rob McPherson) Banfield of Minneapolis, and Matthew (Laurence) Banfield of Edina, 12 Grandchildren, Caroline Jolstad, Grant Jolstad, Merideth Jolstad, Brady Banfield, Nick Banfield, Henry Yavitt, Sam Yavitt, Neil Banfield, Grier McPherson, Charlotte McPherson, Ellie Banfield, & Thomas Banfield. He is also survived by two sisters, Nancy (Ted) Feher and Jane (Don) Burney, both of Houston, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Virginia Banfield.
A celebration of life Mass for Dr. Fred D. Banfield will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester, MN on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation with family will be held one hour prior to the service, and also on Sunday, June 9, 2013 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Memorials are preferred to Rochester Area Family Y or Seasons Hospice.
Condolences
The family of Dr. Fred D. Banfield has received the following condolences.
My father (Dr Cyril Corrigan - the radiologist at Olmsted Medical Group from about 1958-1990) worked with Dr Banfield for many years and I remember him well. I'm pretty sure I saw him several times for medical things also. I just wanted to express my condolences to your family.
Pat Cotter
On behalf of Swede Lake and all of us...
We send our prayers, love and bessings to all
of you and your families.
The Campion Cabin
Dear Banfield Family,
I only met Dr. Banfield at the wedding of his wonderful daughter, Liz. However, her stories of him over the years have been wonderful to hear. My thoughts are with all of you at this time of grieving and celebrating the life of such a great man.
With Love,
Melanie
Getting to know Fred & Gilda through Rotary is one of our great life journeys. Fred proved to be a great humanitarian for all he did for others. He provided loving, honest, caring for our Rotary Youth Exchange students over the years. Rotary and his love of food, wine and fun made us kindred spirits. God speed on your next journey Fred.
Love, Vicki & Terry
Dr. Fred Banfield was a most extraordinary man. Not only was he an excellent and accomplished Family Physician, but was a fine golfer, had a sharp wit and an equally soft heart.
He was a friend, a neighbor and a consultant on medical issues at times.
He has a wonderful family of whom he was understandably proud. I had the privilege to see some of them from time to time in recent years and understood his fond feelings for them.
His wife Gilda is a caring soul and provided help for Fred through his myriad of terminal illnesses. She has to be considered a saintly person.
I'm sure that his family will miss their Dad and we will too.
Ross M. Tucker, M.D.
Going to the Doctor will never be the same with out Dr. Banfield! I started going to see him in 1990 and even after I moved to Wisconsin I still made the trip to Rochester just so he could continue to be my doctor. Our conversations were never boring, we talked alot about dogs. I still attend the same clinic but I want you all to know that he will greatly missed by me! Hugs and Deepest Sympathy to you all.
Love, Tisha Bergner, Nelson WI.
Gilda, and Family
We are so very sorry for your loss. Fred was a wonderful man. There will be a great loss in our Marriage Encounter lives. God will bless his soul. Prayer and thoughts are with you and your family.
God Bless
David and Kathy Jeanson (World Wide Marriage encounters and friends
Dear Banfields,
I am so sorry for your loss and your hurt. You are in my prayers as you grieve together and share stories and laugh together as well!! Fred was so dedicated to his family and his patients and that was so evident by how he pushed his body in the last years(with not all parts working so great!) to get thru work each day and then make those calls in the evening to grandchildren or his kids to keep connected to them. I loved listening to him call a grandchild and ask what he or she learned in school that day or what book they were reading. His love of all of you and his patients was always to evident by the twinkle in his eye as he talked about his day at work or time with his family. He always told me the weather at Swede Lake was "idyllc" and that was because of Gilda and family that shared it with him. I will never forget my time with Fred!
Lori from Red Wing!!!
Dear Mrs. Banfield and all the kids,
I was so sorry to hear of Dr. B's passing. My thoughts and prayers are we each and everyone of you!! Sending (((HUGS))) and prayers. Sonja has forwarded me some lovely writings Lizzy posted. It brought a big smile to my face, truly a wonderful childhood and a pleasure to have been part of your lives. He was one of a kind and I treasure my memories spent with you all <3 God Bless!!
Kitty Gunderson and Family
My prayers and thoughts are with the Banfield family.
Dr. Banfield was known to be stubborn; he wanted the best for his patients. He set an example for current physicians on how to care for the patients. He will be greatly missed.
Jengyu Lai