Dr. P. Roy Gregware

Dr. P. Roy Gregware, 88, Bismarck, died June 11, 2009, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with Rev. John Guthrie officiating. Burial will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Monday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Dr. P. Roy Gregware was born in Troy, NY, in 1920. Graduating from LaSalle Institute, he won statewide oratorical and dramatic honors. He took his pre-medical training at Siena College and received his MD degree from Albany Medical School. Dr. Gregware served his internship at the Jersey City Medical Center and later, while serving as a captain in the US Army, worked in the field of psychiatry at Knoxville, IA, where he met and married Lorraine Yoerg, a graduate of North Dakota University. Upon his discharge from the service, they moved to Hanover, NH, where he was a resident at Hitchcock Clinic, Dartmouth College, specializing in the study of the heart. In 1953, they moved to Bismarck, ND, where he worked with the Quain and Ramstad Clinic, where he became a partner, director and later vice-president. His medical ability can be ascertained in part by his responsibilities. He became a Clinical Associate for the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and served as Chief of Staff for St. Alexius Hospital. He was an Associate Fellow, Fellow, and later Governor 1971-1975 of the American College of Physicians, the youngest on record at that time. Recognition of these accomplishments was reflected in his state appointments. He was appointed by the Governor as a member of the State Health Council 1968-1977, as well as a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners 1967-1973. He was asked to be a director of North Dakota Blue Shield and the Dakota Community Health Plan and director of the Dakota Northwestern Bank National Association. Dr. Gregware was involved in multiple acts of community service, serving as medical director at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, St. Vincent’s Nursing Home, and as President of the North Dakota Diabetic Association. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Bismarck Lions Club. His family remembers the many late-night house calls and trips to hospitals and care centers. They also remember the many people who had approached them over the years with stories of how he had saved their lives. An avid golfer, he achieved his last hole-in-one at age 80. He was also a pilot and loved to fly. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Gregware, Bismarck; children, Peter Gregware, Las Cruces, NM, Joan Wattles, Denver, CO, Mary Lee Wangler, Bismarck, and David Gregware, Minneapolis, MN; and 13 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dr. P. Roy Gregware

October 18, 1920 - June 11, 2009