Dr. Elmer E. Kobold
Dr. Elmer E. Kobold Jr. joined his
sweetie in heaven on Thanksgiving evening surrounded by his six
children and his big sister. Elmer was born on October 15, 1935
in Sheridan, Wyoming to Elmer E. Kobold Sr. (Slim) and Rose
Kobold. He was the youngest of six children.
Elmer grew up on the family ranch in Kirby, MT. The ranch is
where his dad homesteaded and is now on the National Historic
Registry as the Rosebud Battlefield State Park. He grew up as a
true Montana cowboy working the ranch with his parents, brother
and sisters. He rode his horse everyday to grade school in
Kirby’s one room schoolhouse, attended Sheridan High School and
graduated from Holy Cross Abbey School in 1953. At this time, he
made the decision to continue his education with the goal of
becoming a surgeon. He attended Creighton University from
1953-1956, Creighton University School of Medicine from
1956-1960 and Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals
Detroit Internship & Surgical Residency 1960-1965.
Dr. Kobold married the love of his life, Diana Lynn Dugan on
October 8, 1960. They moved to Detroit, MI where he finished his
residency. While in Detroit, he was a researcher, instructor,
and Chief Resident. One of his greatest professional
accomplishments in Detroit was being named teacher of the year
in 1967. He served as President of the Yellowstone Valley
Medical Association, President of Montana-Wyoming Chapter of
American College of Surgeons and numerous other achievements. He
was the Chief of Surgery at Billings Deaconess Hospital,
President of Medical Staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and
President of the Montana Medical Association. He has had
numerous medical publications and one of his proudest medical
achievements was developing a procedure that he showcased at the
National Institute of Health, which is still used today in
surgical procedures.
He and Diana moved to Billings in 1967 where they raised six
children. Although he was a busy surgeon and worked very hard,
he always managed to find time to be the doctor on the sidelines
of every football game, wrestling match or any other sporting
event in which his children were involved. He loved to laugh and
tell jokes and he frequently challenged people to give him a
category, to which he would always have a joke to match. Elmer
loved to golf and was very proud of winning the Hilands Fling
golf tournament twice, the second time with his youngest son. He
is a past president of the Hilands Golf Club, where he and Diana
made many friends and had many wonderful memories.
After retiring from surgical practice at Surgical Associates in
1997, he and Diana moved to Henderson, NV where they were
snowbirds for eight wonderful years. He cherished that time
where he finally had mom all to himself. They made many friends
and loved to have family come to visit. They moved back to
Billings full time when Diana became ill in 2007. He never fully
recovered after mom died January 25, 2008.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George,
sister Joanne, and his beloved wife Diana. He is survived by his
sisters, Kathleen Skelton of Missoula, Lenore Johnson of
Billings and Delores Burley of Lansing, MI. He also leaves his
six children: Danny (Charlotte) Kobold, Debbie (Dwite Johnson)
Kobold, Teresa (Greg) Brown, David Kobold, Tammy (Jason) Madill
and Luke (Sarah) Kobold. He is also survived by his 13 ½
grandchildren: Zach, Samantha, Caitlin and Jake Brown; Nathan,
Taylor, Maia and Raelee Kobold; Faith, Grace, Isaac , Hope, and
baby Madill to be born February 2011; Morgan and Olivia Kobold
and one great-grandchild Alizae Woodward.
Dad will always be remembered as being an accomplished surgeon,
whose compassion and caring will be remembered by all he healed
and those whose lives he saved. His friends will always remember
him as being the life of the party, the teller of jokes and a
man with a huge heart. His family will always remember him as
being their strength whose love never wavered. Thanks Dad! We
love you and we are so happy that you are in Heaven dancing the
jitterbug with mom.
Dad was a lifelong Catholic and generous supporter of Billings
Catholic Schools. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to
support Billings Area Catholic Education (BACET).
Visitation will be 4-8pm Sunday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Vigil service will be 7pm Monday and Funeral Mass 1pm Tuesday, both at St. Pius X Church. Rite of Committal will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Dear
Kobold Family,
Please know I have fond memories of my childhood with your father. From
taking the Cabrera's on our first boating trip to Yellowtail Dam and
from being on the sidelines of every wrestling match.
He was a bit intimidating at times but his smile put me at ease.
God Bless your family.
Nardo A. Cabrera
Our thoughts are with your family at this
difficult time.
The Boelters'
Brian, Kristie, Megan and Chloe
Dear Danny, Debbie, Teresa, Tammy, David, Luke, kids and spouses, Words cannot possibly convey the depth of my sympathy at your loss. I wish I could be with you in person to celebrate your dad's life and his love for your mom and all of you. Please know that I am with you in spirit. I hope the six of you know what a testament you all are to the kind of people both your parents were. I hope you are able to feel how alive all of their love still is in your love for each other. God Bless and keep you all, and again, my deepest sympathy, Love, Lynn (Duray Johnson)
A great guy and wonderful surgeon has passed
and will surely be missed. I have many fond memories of times
together in Montana My condolences to his family.
Love to all,
V. Paul Johnson
My name is Jeanne Kahle and I worked as an emergency nurse for approximately 25 years at St. Vincent’s Hospital. We had a lot of close contact with all the surgeons. I liked Dr. Kobold and the way he handled his patients. I even chose him for my surgeon. He was always kind and considerate plus a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Sincerely Jeanne Kahle
I am a retired nurse and had the privilege of
working with Dr. Kobold at St Vincent's in the operating room from
1972-73. He was everyone's favorite surgeon. He never yelled at any
of the nurses and he was always
upbeat and respectful of everyone. At the time, a popular song by
Jim Croce (deceased 1973) was "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown". Dr. Kobold
would sing that song during surgery. And now, almost 40 years later
whenever I hear that song on the Oldies but Goodies radio station, I
immediately envision him singing that song.
Keeping you all in my prayers,
Joan Schaaf
It would be difficult to remember all the
times I golfed or played gin, or for that matter drank a little gin
with Elmer. Each time was pleasant. Despite his decision to rename
me “loophole” I had a lot of laughs with this fellow. As he makes
his way to Heaven he will leave behind many who would have beat him
there had he not saved their lives. In the backrooms, among just the
boys, when words spoken would never leave—he never said an unkind
thing about his wife or any member of his family. For this I will
always hold him in high regard.
Mark D. Parker
Elmer and I were good friends for many years . He was sweet and comical . We shared some similar health challenges over time. For the last several years , when I would see him , before we parted I would always say “ Love you Doc “ and always a grin and “Love you back “ . I am sorry for your loss. Diane Skillestad
Kolbold family!
Want to express that all of you have been our thoughts and we send
our sympathy! The Hamwey family.
Bill and I are Nathans aunt and uncle and we
are so sorry to hear of your dads passing. He was a Dr. of our
mothers. I have heard so many good things about him, I know he will
be greatly missed. Cherish all the memories of your parents, it is
so difficult when they are gone. Take care of each other and carry
on all the great qualities that your parents instilled in you.
Sharon and Bill Guckeen