Richard M. Gebhart
May 8, 1953 — May 15, 2020
Richard M. Gebhart
Richard Maxwell Gebhart, M.D., age 67, passed away peacefully at home in Maple Grove, MN on May 15, 2020 surrounded by his family. He ended his three-year journey through cancer with grace, dignity, and humor.
A private funeral mass will be held May 26, 2020 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Corcoran, MN at 11:00am. The funeral mass must be limited to a small group of immediate family who will be contacted directly, but a video recording of the mass will be shared. The mass will be followed by a virtual reception at 2:00pm. If interested in joining the virtual reception, please share your contact information at this link to receive details.
A burial is planned for a later date in Bismarck, ND, as well as memorial celebrations in Bismarck, ND and Wheaton, MN. These details will be shared with family and friends once gathering restrictions are lifted.
Rick was born in Fargo, ND on May 8, 1953 to Richard Arnold Gebhart and Gertrude Elizabeth (Dalziel) Gebhart. He grew up in Wheaton, Minnesota and was educated at Wheaton Public Schools from 1959 through his graduation from Wheaton High School in 1971. He attended college at North Dakota State University from 1971 to 1975, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology. Rick received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of North Dakota Medical School in 1981, and completed a Family Practice Residency at the University of Minnesota - Methodist Hospital in 1984. Rick was a family physician with Camden Physicians, now part of North Memorial Health, from 1984 through his cancer diagnosis in 2017. Professionally, he was motivated by his deep care for others and cherished the human interaction of family medicine. He was dearly loved by patients and co-workers.
Rick married Connie Jane Kraft on May 30, 1981 in Bismarck, ND. They resided in St. Louis Park, MN starting in 1981 before moving to their lifelong home in Maple Grove, MN in the fall of 1986. There they raised two incredible children and a number of beloved pets.
He is remembered as a well-rounded individual, finding interest in numerous avocations. He particularly enjoyed hockey, baseball, music, and golf. He loved reading books about the interests of those closest to him, but history was his favorite. He was well-known as a gifted storyteller and was especially fond of recounting tales of friends, family, and his many travels. He leaves a legacy of contributions to family genealogy, having unearthed new understanding about his heritage while connecting with numerous distant relatives. He was very proud of his Scottish ancestry.
Rick is survived by his beloved wife of almost 39 years, Connie Gebhart of Maple Grove, MN, and his children: Angela (Brooks) Varnum of Buffalo, MN and Thomas Gebhart (Samantha Harding) of Minneapolis, MN. He is also survived by his sister: Jean (Charles) Bon of Robinson, ND, brothers-in-law: Randall Kraft of Maple Grove, MN and Russell (Paula) Kraft of Alta Loma, CA, parents-in-law: Terrence and Donna Kraft of Mesa, AZ, and many other relatives, in-laws, and out-laws. He is preceded in death by his parents: Dick and Beth Gebhart, and numerous aunts and uncles.
The family would like to thank Dr. Levine and the staff at North Memorial Cancer Center and Home Hospice for their excellent care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or North Memorial Health Foundation (specify Oncology & Cancer Care).
Memorials or cards for Richard’s family can be directed to the funeral home and will be forwarded to the family.
Please share a memory or story of Rick in the online guestbook, or through email [email protected] .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard M. Gebhart, please visit our flower store.
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