Col. Harold C. Halvorson, M.D., age 83, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo.
He was born on July 1, 1930 in Dell Rapids, SD, the son of the late Harry and Mabel (Moe) Halvorson.
On June 26, 1955, he was united in marriage to the former Marilyn J. Fisher in Aberdeen, SD. Hal earned his Bachelor’s degree from University of South Dakota and then continued his education, leaving South Dakota in 1953 and attending the University Of Nebraska College Of Medicine where he earned his M.D. In 1956, he joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps for two years, with most of his service in Verdun, France. Three years of general practice were followed by a year of general surgery residency in Lincoln, Nebraska and a three-year OB/GYN residency at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. This was followed by a private OB/GYN practice in Lincoln, Nebraska and Albert Lea, Minnesota. In 1981, he reenlisted with the Michigan Air National Guard earning the rank of Colonel and State Air Surgeon, where he served until his military retirement in 1996. In 1978, Hal joined The Upjohn Co. in Portage, MI working in clinical investigation where he remained until his retirement in 1993. Surviving are his loving wife of 58 years, Marilyn Halvorson of Kalamazoo; their three children, Eric (Theresa) Halvorson of Indianapolis, IN, Elizabeth (Steve) Jakeway of Key Biscayne, FL and Leigh (Van Betulius) Halvorson of Indianapolis; one grandson, Eric II (Rachael) Halvorson and one great-grandson, Eric Halvorson III. A memorial service to celebrate Hal’s life will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 7, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 W. Milham Avenue, Portage, MI with Rev. Paul Nuechterlein officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Kalamazoo, MI. Please visit Hal’s personalized webpage for directions, his online guestbook or to leave a condolence to his family at www.langelands.com
