ROCHESTER, Minn. – Glenn W. Chamberlin of Rochester, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in the Homestead Memory Care Unit.
He was born May 26, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa, the second son of Glenn Williams Chamberlin and Ethel Hartsook Chamberlin. He was raised and educated in Oregon, Ill., schools. Glenn received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 1952. His internship was at the University of Indiana Medical Center in Indianapolis, Ind. He then worked as a junior partner in a general medical practice in Seneca for two years before establishing his own medical practice in Monmouth.
He served his country from 1943-1946 qualifying in the Army Specialized Training Program. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa in the Pacific Theater in World War II. He was one of the military assembled on the atoll of Ie Shima awaiting orders to invade Japan when President Truman ordered the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after which the wat ended. He then served in Korea before being discharged from the service in 1946.
Glenn married Patricia Stafford on August 6, 1950 in the Methodist Church in Wedron, Ill. They had been married 67 years at the time of his death.
They moved with their family to Monmouth in 1955 where he established his medical practice serving the community for 35 years. In the early years of his practice before he was joined by a partner, he worked six and sometimes seven days per week plus made many housecalls after hours and in the middle of the night.
He served as Secretary of the Warren County Medical Society for 35 years and was also a member of the Illinois State Medical Society.
After the recognition of Family Medicine as a specialty, he passed his boards and became a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Physicians and a member of the Illinois State Board of Family Practice.
Dr. Chamberlin served two terms as President of the Warren Achievement School Board, a school for disabled children which he helped found, and was a Board Member of the Monmouth Community Memorial Hospital where he also conducted the hospital portion of his medical practice and assisted in surgeries.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Monmouth; a longtime member of the Monmouth American Legion Post 136, and a Life Member of the VFW Post 2301
He was proud to serve in medical partnership with Dr. Kenneth Ambrose from 1959 until their retirements in 1990.
Glenn was an avid reader, enjoy a daily one hour walk, and played bridge in his retirement. He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their three children, Barbara (David Daugherty) of Rochester, Minn.a; Cynthia (Scott Irish) of Parker, Colorado; and John (Debra) Chamberlin of Parkville, Mo.
Also surviving are five grandchildren including Alicia Daugherty, Washington, D.C.; Reams Daugherty, Minneapolis, Minn.; Molly Daugherty, Rochester, Minn.; Byron Irish, Parker, Colo.; and Gabrielle Chamberlin, Parkville, Mo. His brother, Robert Chamberlin of Oregon, and his sister, Nancy O’Leary of Rockford, Illinois survive him.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dolores Little of Oregon.
His final resting place will be among his ancestors in the Daysville Cemetery near Oregon, close to the family farm, established in 1865, where he was raised.
There will be a private service for family members in Oregon at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Monmouth Nursing Home, 117 South I Street, Monmouth, Illinois 61462 where he cared for many patients or to the Homestead of Rochester, 1900 Ballington Dr. NW, Rochester, Minnesota 55901.
The family is grateful for the special care provided to him by his aide, Nancy Johnson; the staff at the Homestead and Seasons Hospice.
Arrangements entrusted to Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester, Minn.
