Dr. Richard Allan Edlund, FCOG, Diplomat of American Board of ObGyn, was born on June 9, 1930, the oldest of four children born to Raymond and Gladys (Anderson) Edlund in Minneapolis, MN, and went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 31, 2019. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1956, interned at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida in 1957, and became an M.D. He joined the United States Air Force as a Captain and Flight Surgeon, taking care of flight personnel and earning his wings flying with them over 200 hours.
It was during this time that he felt the Lord calling him to co-labor with Him in women’s care, from the verse in Psalm 139:13, “You have covered me in my mother’s womb, I praise you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. He looked forward to working with the mom’s feeling life within, to help them bring forth healthy babies and then being able to follow up with them afterwards. He entered an ObGyn residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where he received his specialty license in ObGyn.
He worked at the Metro Health Plan medical buildings in the Detroit area as Head of ObGyn Department. During that time, he delivered over 6,000 babies! He later practiced in Muskegon for 35 years and delivered 4,000 more babies and received a 50-year award for practicing ObGyn medicine in Michigan.
Dick moved to Muskegon in 1975 and was in private practice until 2000. He introduced the concepts of fathers being in the delivery room, epidural anesthesia, and doctors being able to deliver their own children to the doctors and hospitals in Muskegon. He enjoyed many hobbies along the way including hunting with his son, Rich, in Montana, Texas, and Africa.
He owned many 60’s and 70’s era muscle cars including a ’69 Shelby GT 350 signed by Carrol Shelby. He attended numerous car shows with his many friends and family. He was an avid antique collector as well as a coin collector for most of his adult life.
He also enjoyed helping run a cattle ranch for many years in Livingston, MT with the purchase of his own 100 head. During his free time, he pursued antelope, mule deer, and whitetail. Dick had always enjoyed working in various positions of ministry throughout his life and career.
After his retirement, he was active at the Men’s Rescue Mission, has taught men’s classes through Bridge to Life, and then at the food pantry at Hope Lighthouse with Pastor Doug Malear in Muskegon Heights. Until very recently, he and his wife, Lynn, volunteered at World Mission Thrift Store as home missionaries, raising funds for solar powered audio Bibles in 6000 languages around the world. His thriving practice kept him away from family and friends much of the time, but he always cherished the visits from his children and grandchildren.
After retirement, he was finally was able to do the things he and his cherished wife truly enjoyed, in the service of the Lord. He will be sadly missed and remembered by his loving wife of 43 years, Lynn; his children, Karen (Kevin) Courter of Carmel, Indiana and Cynthia (Pete) Duncanson of Nashville, Tennessee; son, Richard Edlund of Muskegon; step-daughter, Lori Grabiec; grandchildren, Kasey, Parker and Eric Courter, Elizabeth and Christopher Duncanson, and Ethan and Alex Grabiec; brother, Robert (Jean) Edlund of Lakewood, Colorado; sister, Susan (Tom) Haslip of Ft. Myers, Florida; his former wife, Carol Edlund; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Debbie Edlund (who was a nurse in Franklin, Michigan); and brother, Joel Edlund. Dr. Edlund was well-loved by all his patients for his kind and compassionate care. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Port City Church with Pastor Steve Derdowski officiating.
VISITATION will be from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Friday, February 8, 2019 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100 and one hour prior to his service at church. MEMORIALS in Dick’s memory may be directed to Friends of Zion Jerusalem Prayer Team, World Mission Thrift Store, St. Joseph Indian School or Port City Church. You may sign his online guestbook at www.
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