Dr. Eric Paul Lofgren

Dr. Eric P. Lofgren, 91, of Rochester, died Monday, December 6, 2010 at Charter House.Eric Paul Lofgren was born March 19, 1919 in Killeberg, Sweden to Hokan and Tekla (Carlsson) Lofgren. Dr. Lofgren received the A.B. degree in 1941 from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and the M.D. degree in 1944 from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago. He interned in 1945 at the U.S. Marine Hospital, Detroit, and worked for the U.S. Public Health Service from 1945-1947 and then served a residency at St. Jospeh Hospital, Marshfield, WI. In 1948 he entered general practice in Rockford, IL where he practiced until beginning a residency program in surgery at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1951. He received the M.S. degree in surgery from the University of Minnesota in 1954.After completing his residency, Dr. Lofgren served as medical officer in charge with the Lutheran Mission Hospital in Nigeria until 1958. He returned to Rockford in 1958, established a general surgery practice, and remained there until he accepted a position as consultant in surgery at Mayo in 1964.Dr. Lofgren was named instructor in surgery at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1965, assistant professor in 1971 and assistant professor, Mayo Medical School, in 1973. He was named head of the Section of Peripheral Vein Surgery and associate professor of surgery in 1979.Dr. Lofgren has held membership in the Minnesota State Medical Society and served on its committee on Medicine and Religion; was secretary-treasurer, president-elect and president of the Priestley Society; and program chairman of the Minnesota Surgical Society. Dr. Lofgren was a chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board and founder of Taste of the Town. He served at his church as deacon and president of the congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church. He also sang in the church choir. He belonged to several professional organizations. He co-authored a handbook in 1975, A Handbook of religious Practices of all Faiths, and in 1980 a film, Surgical Treatment of Varicose Veins.Dr. Lofgren was in the U.S. Army and served on the Phillipines Islands. He married Dorothy Schneider on May 24, 1947 in Detroit, MI. He enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, and music.Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Lofgren of Rochester; one son, Paul (Teri) Lofgren of Brooklyn Park, MN; one daughter, ElisaBeth Lofgren of Rochester; and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 222 - 6th Ave SW, Rochester, with the Reverend William Otte officiating. A private family burial was held at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials are requested to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Salvation Army.