Robert F. Nagan, MD

Robert F. Nagan, M.D. 86, Indianapolis, died unexpectedly on February 18, 2007 in Naples, Florida, his winter residence. He was born on November11, 1920 to Alphonse and Bertha (Rademacher) Nagan in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. He graduated from Kaukauna High School, Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and the Marquette (Milwaukee) School of Medicine. He served in the US Army. In 1948 he married Dete Notaras.

Dr. Nagan was associated with St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis throughout his entire surgical career, first as an intern and resident, then as a medical staff member starting in 1951. He was integral in the planning of the current St. Vincent Hospital on 86th Street in the early 1970’s. He then served St. Vincent as president of the medical staff from 1977 through 1978, as a member of its Executive Committee for over 20 years, and on its Foundation Board for many years. He was keenly interested in surgical education and was co-founder of the Finneran Lectureship at St. Vincent. In 1992 the Robert F. Nagan Surgical Education and Research Fellowship Fund was established in his honor to further the education of surgeons in the disciplines of minimally invasive surgery, ultrasound, and endoscopy.

He was also a past member of the medical staffs of Methodist, Community, and St. Francis Hospitals, Indianapolis.

Professional society memberships included the Indianapolis Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, the American College of Surgeons, (of which he served as president of the Indiana Chapter), the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery.

In 1999, he was honored by Lawrence University, with his receipt of the Brigss Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of contributions and achievement in a chosen field.

Most importantly though, his professional career was marked by his unflagging attention to detail in his daily work, a love of his surgical craft, and compassion in caring for his patients.

He and his wife, Dete, led an active social life and were members of the Traders Point Hunt Club, the Players Club, the Contemporary Club, and the Meridian Hills Country Club. He was an avid golfer and tennis player.

He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Indianapolis.

He is survived by a sister Grace Hanby of Kaukauna; three brothers: Mark Nagan of Kaukauna, Eugene (Dorothy) Nagan of King, Wisconsin, and David (Jackie) Nagan of Lakewood, Wisconsin; and a sister-in-law: Eileen Nagan of Kaukauna. There are also several nieces and nephews. Dr. Nagan was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dete in 2004, a brother Paul Nagan and a sister: Carol (Dr. Joseph) Skibba.

The funeral liturgy for Dr. Nagan will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 119 W. 7th Street in Kaukauna with Fr. Jerry Pastors officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.

Donations in Dr. Nagan’s name may be made to the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, Robert F. Nagan M.D. Surgical Research and Fellowship Fund. 8402 Harcourt Road, Suite 210, Indianpolis, IN 46260 or to the to the Robert F. and Dete Nagan College Scholarship Fund at Kaukauna High School, Wisconsin to assist students pursuing careers in medicine.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-766-6200