Frederick Neher

Dr. Frederick James Neher, age 90, of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, March 13, 2015, at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. Fred had a long and wonderful life. He is survived by his five children, Frederick (Mickey) Neher of Mahtomedi, MN, Kurt (Luisa) Neher of Ojai, CA, Lise (Dan) Revers of Weston, MA, Erick (Heather) Neher of Idaho Falls, ID, and Konrad Neher of Center City, MN; his brother, Jim (Kathe) Neher of St. Paul, MN; as well as ten grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 26. Fred's loving wife of 55 years, Phyllis (Rybak) Neher of New Prague, Minnesota, passed away in November of 2013.

Fred was born to Frederick and Cecilia (Kilbane) Neher of St. Paul, Minnesota in February 1925. He graduated from St. Paul Academy in 1943 and like many patriotic young men at the time promptly enlisted in the US Army. He was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) as an officer candidate and started his studies at the University of Puget Sound in the fall of 1943. Unfortunately, due to the dire need for combat troops, ASTP was cut at the start of 1944 and Fred was transferred as a combat replacement into the armored infantry with Patton's 11th Armored Division. He survived the 11th Armored Division's push from France into Germany and was wounded after the Battle of the Bulge. After recovering, Fred used his fluent German language skills in the OSS to round up fugitive German officers. Fred was always proud of his participation in this great endeavor.

After returning home, and discharge from the Army in 1945, Fred resumed his education at Harvard College under the GI Bill. He earned his medical degree at Harvard in 1952 and began his surgical residency at the University of Minnesota under Dr. Richard Varko. The U of M was home to groundbreaking cardio-vascular surgery in the early 50's with Drs. Varko, Wangensteen and Lillehei. Fred even participated in the first open-heart surgical procedure with Dr. Varko in 1952. It was an exciting time for Fred and the surgical team at the University, and he also met a young surgical nurse, Phyllis Rybak, whom he married in 1958.

Fred and Phyllis settled in St. Paul where they raised their family and Fred went into private practice. He specialized in vascular surgery and became chief of staff at St. Joseph's and United Hospitals and a member of the Minnesota Medical Association. He continued his lifelong passion for the outdoors and enjoyed Minnesota fishing, hunting, bird watching and hiking. Fred and Phyllis built a lake house near Detroit Lakes and spent 30 years vacationing there with family and their dogs. They also traveled frequently to Bavaria to visit their German relatives and visited their children and grandchildren in Boston, Idaho, California, Texas, Louisiana, Brazil, England and Australia. Fred was a loving husband, wonderful father, a great teacher and a loyal friend.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 24th from 4:00 to 6:30pm with a time of sharing at 5:30 at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd. in Stillwater. Fred will have a burial service at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 25th at Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul, MN.

Memorial contributions in Fred's honor may be made to Fred and Phyllis' favorite charity, Smile Train at PO Box 96231, Washington DC, 20090-6231, 1-800-932-9541, or at www.smiletrain.org.