Sanford Clinic Women's Health

Dr. George Memorial

As you may know, SVC OB-GYN, Ltd. has suffered a tragic loss. Our beloved Dr. George had a massive heart attack and died January 11^th.

This page is meant to be a tribute to Dr. George and a place for family and friends to express what he meant to them, not only as a doctor, but more importantly, what he meant to them as a friend.

Please feel free to send us your memories and thoughts and we will post them.

We hope that this page will help in the healing process and keep the memory of Dr. George alive.

If you would like to email us pictures or memories please send them by email or feel free to drop off a written memory in suite #301.

First of all, before I enclose my thoughts and memories of Dr. George, I would like to give a eartfelt THANK YOU to his family. Without their patience and understanding, his patients would not have had the chance to receive the wonderful care he gave.

I have had 3 children under Dr. George's care, all of which he personally delivered. I don't know how I managed to go into labor during the day each time, but I feel that it was a privilege to have his help in these deliveries. I remember that with my first child, my water "sprung" a small leak...one of which didn't concern me too much, on Friday. I waited until Monday to call for an appointment to check what was going on. After a very stern lecture from him on ignoring this for 3 days, he checked me into the hospital and induced me. Thank the lord for epidurals and a doctor that firmly believes in giving them. During the pushing stage of this delivery, Dr. George and my husband were busily watching the movie "Mask". Having had an epidural, I had no idea when to push. The nurse would walk away to do something and come back to find that he missed the contraction and therefore I missed the push. My husband and I still laugh about this. I had daughter #2 in 1998 and don't have any stories to tell about delivery, but I know that I surprised him when I told him the news that she was diagnosed with achondroplasia (dwarfism). This news came to him when I came in for my first check-up with daughter #3.

At some point in the early stages of this pregnancy, he told me "If you get to 39-40 weeks and are favorable, we will induce you if you would like". At my 39 week check-up, I don't even know if I let him get all of the way into the examining room before I informed him that "I'm favorable". He laughed and told me that it had to be more than my mind that was favorable. He made me wait for several days and then induced. Maybe this was his way of getting me back for the 2 false labors that I came in for (during the late hours of the night). Since we had a scheduled induction, we were at the hospital first thing in the morning and he came over about 10:30 to start it. He looked at his watch and decided that 3pm would be a good time for the baby the baby to be born. My husband asked him if he had a tee-time set up that he needed to get to. I hit 10 centimeters and they called him to the hospital. He checked me and said "Yes she is ready, but she had an epidural and really doesn't care, and I have a lady up in stirrups and the office, so let me finish that check-up and then I will be back". She was born at 1:50 pm and my husband turned to Dr. George and said "I guess you will be on schedule for your tee-time, huh".

I will finish this letter with what I think is the funniest memory. This would be the "talk" that he gave to the new fathers before hospital check-out. He sat down on the hospital couch, looked directly and my husband, and said, "Ideally we ask that you wait 6 weeks before you start relations again, but if you could give me 2 weeks, I would really appreciate it".

I will miss having Dr. George as my doctor, but want to pass on what my 10 year old told me when I informed her of Dr. George's death. It was, "Well mom, you say what a great doctor he was, I think that God needed him to deliver babies up in heaven now". I could not have said it better myself.

Sincerely,
John and Christine(Tina) Beck

Dr.George delivered our twin boys on Dec. 9th, 1997. My fondest memory of my experiences with him throughout my pregnancy was during the delivery process. I had delivered the first twin normally and had to have an emergency C-section for the 2nd twin. When Dr. George came in to check on me after I came out of the anestetic, he commented, with a priceless look on his face, that he would never forget our particular and unique delivery. He always commented on it in subsequent visits. He was a wonderful person and a great doctor with a terrific bedside manner. He had a way of putting people at ease and making them feel like he truly cared about each patient. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. God must of needed Dr. George to care for others in a way he couldn't while he was with us here. He'll be looking over many now and blessing them with his kindness.

Rebecca Anderson
Sioux Falls SD

In the past 20 years with OBGYN Ltd. Clinic and with Dr. R.J. George, I never stopped to realize or thank the Clinic for for the opportunity to be working in a great office and with a great doctor. Each day we go to work and always expect each other to be there. After the death of Dr. George, I realized what a great place it is to work and with great co-workers.

He made our office a great place, but we all do, along with the doctors, midwifes, and certified nurse practicioners. Now, I feel great sadness and it's hard to come to work, but time heals, and I know that is what he would want me to do. I loved working with him and we had great patients. We laughed with them, joked with them, and sometimes cried with them. We were always there for the patients and I think they knew that. We shared our lives with them and they shared their stories with us. After 20 years it was a big family.

Darlene, Bobbie and Jen, your father worshipped all of you. At the beginning when we weren't busy in the office, we took road trips to different clinics. We missed the turn off a few times talking about what you were doing or what my family was doing. He was so proud of you and I know that he is an angel looking over you now.

I can't even begin to know the hurt that you feel right now, as I have that too. But his smile and joking gestures will always be around. I can't think of anyone that captured so much out of his life, even though he was only 56. If we all had that gift to give from the heart like he did, this world would be a better place. I really feel that I was so very fortunate to work with him. He taught me so many things about life, because he would always tell employees. If you make a little mistake don't worry. It's okay, no one got hurt or no one died because of it. He always made medical students very comfortable working with him. He was genuine in his profession. That was his greatness as a doctor. Those great memories are going to stay with you forever.

God bless you as a family, because he could not have done it without you.

Arlene Houtsma

oh my, i have just heard the news of dr. george's passing, and also received his bill the same day!! the check is in the mail but i am so stunned... and so very sad... what can one say but he was a great confidant, terrific dr. and i would say a dear friend.. i always looked so forward to my visits because of the trust i had in him.. i will always remember his kind smile and personality.. my deepest sympathy to his family and his co-workers.. i have a scheduled appointment with him so when i return from arizona i will call and visit with the staff about this situation.. still in disbelief and so very sad.

marjorie vostrejs oye
pipestone, mn

DR. GEORGE WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME IN 1991. HE WAS A WONDERFUL DOCTOR. I WAS VERY SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD HE WAS GONE. IT WILL BE HARD COMING BACK INTO HIS OFFICE FOR MY NEXT VISIT. I WILL MISS HIM.

LAURI LARSON KEATING

Our family was deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful, compassionate man.

I became a patient of Dr. George when Dr. Mutch retired. I wasn't sure that I could feel comfortable with another OB-GYN but I soon found that comfort in Dr. George. He was a very kind, patient, comforting, and a good listener. In April, 2001 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a complete mastectomy. I had my yearly exam with Dr. George in June of that year. He was so compassionate, understanding and kind…he had been aware of my diagnosis since my medical records had been requested by the surgeon, oncologist, and reconstruction doctors. Both my daughters were patients of him as well. I felt comfort in having him as their doctor, having knowledge of my history with breast cancer.

A few years ago my oldest daughter, Julie, had her yearly appointment with Dr. George…he listened to her as she recounted problems with restless legs, not being able to sleep, heart palpitations, etc. He thought she needed to have her thyroid checked and in doing so saved her life….he referred her to a thyroid doctor in SF… her condition was serious and the thyroid had to be destroyed immediately. This doctor complimented Dr. George on his awareness and the fact that he referred her to a specialist in the thyroid field. This saved her life.

Blessed be his memory!
Nancy Ulrich

I was very saddened to hear of the death of Dr. George. He certainly improved my quality of life. Dr. George performed a difficult surgery for me 2 years ago. He was such a warm and understanding Doctor. I am sure his presence his missed greatly. I will remember all of you in my prayers.

Sincerely,
Sherry Hurd
Rockham, SD.

Dr. George was a truly remarkable man, he will forever be missed. My heart goes out to his family, friends and coworkers. He had compassion for his patients and he always made the time for us. Thank you Dr. George for all that you had done for me, I will miss you.

Julie

To whom it may concern,

As a previous patient of Dr. George, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies in this time of loss. He was a wonderful physician. He was a very genuine man in all that he did. Even though I have moved to another state, I was touched with sorrow when I received news of his passing. May God bless you in this time of grief.

Michelle Gortmaker

I was a patient of Dr. George's and was very saddened to hear of his death. It was especially thoughtful of Sioux Valley Clinic to send out a letter to his patients. I may not have known otherwise...

Dr. George alway treated me with kindness and caring, even when I didn't understand what was happening or was too scared to try to understand. He alway treated women with the greatest of respect and had compassion for their needs. We love you, Dr. George!!

Susan Janssen

He was my Dr. for 18yrs. He delivered both my girls by chance as he was on vacation, fishing, and both deliveries he showed up from just returning from his vacation. I have to say I was very, very happy as my first delivery was long and ended up in a emergancy c-section. My second was not to be delivered by an intern (?) and she wasn't! I call them my miracle babies because I was told I may not beable to have children. Dr. George took great care of me!! I was able to talk to him about anything and he was always there. He had a wonderful (bedside) manner to him and that made such a difference in his field. I don't know where I will find that again.

Dr. George I will miss you greatly. Let the Lord take care of those who are mourning and show us his ways. God be with all of us.

Darcie Bardini

Dr. George's passing was such a shock. He will be so missed! I just wanted to pass along my thoughts on the man and the doctor. He was one of the first people that I met when our family moved to Sioux Falls 11 years ago. At that time we had a two and a half year old and a 6 month old, both girls. Needless to say, with the move, new job for my husband, and new baby, I was a mess. Dr. George was so very kind and attentive and talked with my husband and I extensively about what we should do. He led me to the right people.

Then about 2 years later....I was pregnant again, and he was the tending doctor for that pregnancy. He was marvelous and delivered Danny, all 10 lbs. 3 oz, in his calm, yet enthusiastic manner. And then 12 months later, I was pregnant again with number 4. At 20 weeks, I had an emergency appendectomy. I was a wreck! He was so thorough and made certain that I was not going to lose this baby. It was very scary, but he made it so much better, he was present and available and very encouraging. Tommy was born, full term, without any problems or complications. We all cried in the delivery room. I'll never forget what Dr. George said, with tears in his eyes, "this never ceases to amaze me."

A year later, my brother in law and his 8 months pregnant wife came for a quick weekend visit from the Twin Cities. Sure enough my sister in law's water breaks just hours after their arrival. Guess who was at the hospital....Dr. George! He could not have been a more calming force for Brian and Amy. This was their first child, she was so scared. Dr. George delivered our nephew the next day, without complication. Brian and Amy say that Dr. George was a true blessing. And the whole ordeal was their best birthing experience. They have since has another child at a hospital in the Twin Cities.

Dr. George was my doctor for 11 years. He was such a big part of my family's life for that entire time. There is truly a bond with the person who helps you through a pregnancy and then is present for the most incredible days of your life in the delivery room. It is hard to express the gratitude and love that you have for this person. They are the angel helping to bring forth new life into this world. What a great gift. What a great man. God speed!

Katie and Dan Fritz

Dear family of Dr. George and OB-GYN, Ltd. staff,

I'm writing to let you know that I share your sadness in the loss of Dr. George. Over the past few years, I felt like he was not only my physician, but also my friend. I appreciated the fine care that he, along with the staff, provided to me.

Thank you for setting up this e-mail address. What a wonderful way to share our thoughts with you.

All the best, Christina M. Jackson

I just want to once again pass on my sympathies on the loss of a great husband, father, physician and friend. Dr George had so many facets to his personality – all of which made him an awesome doctor: knowledge, compassion and professionalism. He also had a sense of humor and used good common sense in his approach. I appreciated his ability to be straight forward. When I had questions, he listened and took as much time as needed. Towards the end of my first pregnancy, when he realized the baby was breach, he sat me down and went through the various options; I trusted his instincts and respected he suggestion of a C-section. In his words “we need to end up with a healthy baby and a healthy mother”. Even though I hadn't planned on a C-section, after talking it over with him, I was confident that it was the right decision and I was more at ease with the surgery.

I remember being wheeled into the operating room that first delivery; he was all dressed and had his mask on and was standing by the door. And he said to me on the way in: “I just came back from the library, I've read the book and I think I can do this!” He had a way of lightning the mood with good humor.

He'll truly be missed by so many…..

Wendy Aspaas
Sioux Falls, SD

It has taken me some time to gather my thoughts on what I want to say. I have been going to the "great" Dr. George since I was pregnant with my first son 16 years ago. From the first time I counseled with him I knew I was going to like him for my Doctor. Being I was an older mom I read a lot of books. Each time I would come to him I had lots of questions about what I had read. One time he looked at me with his smile and said "Connie, you have to quit reading so much"! I trusted him with just his words. When I heard the news of his death it stunned me as if he was a member of my own family. But in a way he really was. He is the guy that kept me on track with my health for 16 years. Each time I would come in for an appointment he would ask me how my boys were. I have cried several nights for this loss to his family. I just want them to know how many times since his death I have talked to people who said he was a "great guy" and will truly be missed. I know I miss him as my doctor and a friend.

With great respect,
Connie English