Dr Norman Bolker

Beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, Norman Bolker of Corvallis died Feb. 19, 2014, at the Regent Court in Corvallis. Norman was born in Omaha, Neb. From early childhood, his ambition was to become a medical doctor. While a medical student, he met and married Esther Osheroff, the love of his life. They spent 72 years together until parted by Esther’s death in November 2013. Norman was a published writer and poet. He worked summers to put himself through medical school, and he won an intercollegiate award for a poem he wrote as a 19-year-old pre-med student about his experience working one summer on a railroad section gang. He had several poems published in “The Prairie Schooner,” the literary magazine of the University of Nebraska. Until he was in his late 70s, he wrote articles on history and travel, as well as on medical subjects, that were published in various magazines. Norman continued to write poetry for Esther on special occasions throughout their life together. After earning his M.D. in 1942 from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Norman drove with Esther to Aberdeen, Wash., where he served as a general practitioner and the two started a family. He decided to specialize in radiology, and the family moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where he obtained advanced training at the University of Iowa. He became a diplomat of the American Board of Radiology in 1948. The family then lived in Nampa, Idaho, for several years. In addition to his radiology practice there, Norman established an AMA-accredited school for X-ray technicians. Norman served as a major in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1956. He was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss. In 1956 the family moved to Spokane, Wash., where Norman opened his own practice of radiology at the Fifth and Browne Medical Building. Hard working and dedicated to family and community, he was active in civic affairs in Spokane, serving as a member of the Human Services Advisory Committee for Spokane, a member of the Health and Public Awareness Committee for the Spokane County Medical Society, and a member of the Washington State Radiation Control Board. Norman and Esther served as regents at Gonzaga University in Spokane. Norman was president of Crosby Library Associates, president of UJA, and president of the Spokane Society of the Archaeological Institute of America. He was a trustee of the Cheney Cowles Museum. During their years in Spokane, Norman and Esther acquired a large collection of art prints, which they donated to Gonzaga University. Norman’s guiding principle was to give back to the community. In 1980 after he retired from his medical practice, he volunteered for the Indian Health Service in Gallup, New Mexico. He was philanthropic and gave to many charities. Residents of Corvallis for the past 20 years, Norman and Esther were active in the community here. For many years, they volunteered at Stone Soup, the free-meal-assistance program. He served on the board of the Corvallis OSU Symphony and was active in the Beit Am community. For many years Norman was part of the Beanery Bunch, an informal group of friends who meet regularly at The Beanery. He is survived by his daughters, Beth Galleto, Eve Stocker and Judith Bolker; son Jim Bolker; granddaughters Francoise Stovall, Audrey Bolker, Rachel Bolker and Jaime Bolker; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial for Norman Bolker will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Beit Am, 625 N.W. 36th St., Corvallis. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made in his name to Linn Benton Food Share.

Tributes

Dr Norman Bolker

July 28, 1917 - February 19, 2014