Dr. John Tobin

John A Tobin M.D.

John lost his valiant and dignified battle with Alzheimer’s surrounded by love on March 7th 2022.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Margaret Tobin, children James, Amy and Allison and his favorite cousin Bill Tobin.  He is survived by his greatest champion, Marie, to whom he has been married for 64 years, daughter Lisa Tobin, grandchildren Ian Tennant and Liam Tobin and his beloved siblings Richard (Kathy) Tobin and sister Peggy (Jim) Valleau.

John was born on Sept 4th 1929 in Mitchell South Dakota where his natural curiosity of the world and the people in it was fostered.  He excelled in all endeavors (except penmanship according to Sister Michael).  He learned early the art of crafting a story and public speaking by designating himself a tour guide at the majestic Corn Palace and used his tip money to bring friends and family to the movies.  John followed his father in Medicine to Creighton University and graduated from the School of Medicine in 1954.  After his internship he was commissioned as a Naval Officer and was deployed to Kaneohe Marine Base in Oahu Hawaii.

Using the subterfuge of being a tennis pro, he invited the beautiful nurse he had seen at San Francisco General to play tennis.  With borrowed clothes and racquet it became quickly evident that he neither knew the rules of the game nor how to play it.  It was his

wit and charm that ultimately won the heart of Marie, whom he married in 1958.

John completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Michigan and joined the staff at the Medical School teaching both Anatomy and Radiology.  An effective and creative educator he was lured to Minnesota and joined the staff at the University of Minnesota as an assistant professor in Diagnostic Radiology where he inspired the next generations of radiologists.  In 1966 he joined Suburban Radiological Consultants of Minneapolis where he would remain for the rest of his career. Always an active member of the Medical Community he served as Chief of Staff at Unity Hospital where he nurtured and grew the Radiology Dept and in the Hennepin County Medical Society where he was both delegate and President for many years.  He received many awards throughout his career that recognized his service to his patients, his leadership in the Medical Community and his able representation of the Members of the Society.

John had many interests outside of medicine.  He was a prodigious reader and ultimately became an accomplished tennis player. He and Marie traveled the world and sampled the food and culture of many countries.  He was a devoted family man and participated in all that it entailed.

As cruel as cognitive impairment is, it never robbed John’s zest for life or ability to continue to make friends and connections that were a source of joy for all who encountered him.  He was kept safe from Covid by his devoted daughter Lisa who is lovingly writing this tribute and patting herself on the back for having accomplished the Herculean task of keeping this extroverted extrovert safely entertained. John left this world having lived every moment to its fullest.

Mass of Christian Burial at ST MARY OF THE LAKE, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake on March 17th at 11am with a gathering at 10am. Lunch at North Oaks Golf Club immediately following.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s association or any charity of choice.  Truly. There is a livestream option for those who cannot attend in person:

https://stmarys-wbl.org/#funeral-service-events