Quentin Loring Quickstad, M.D.
Quentin Loring Quickstad, M.D.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Quentin Loring Quickstad, M.D., 89, passed away in his home on Saturday, June 4, 2016.
Quentin was born in Toronto, South Dakota on December 5, 1926. He was the only child of Martin and Alma Quickstad. During his early childhood, he lived on a farm and attended a small one-room country school. Because the Great Depression and dust storms were not kind to farmers, his family moved into town and ran a cream station. After graduating from high school in Toronto at the age of sixteen, Quentin followed his parents to Portland, Oregon, where he worked in the ship yards as a machinist helper for a year during World War II. He moved back to South Dakota to begin his college education at the University of South Dakota, where he was initiated into the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Since there was no medical school in South Dakota at the time, he transferred to the University of Oregon and after two years he entered the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland. On June 13, 1952, he became a Doctor of Medicine. Following a year of internship, and at the beginning of his surgical residency, he was called to serve his country during the Korean War as an Army First Lieutenant. Completing his basic training, he spent seventeen months in South Korea. After a long engagement and upon his return home in June 1955, he married Barbara Gartrell, a nurse he met at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Portland. After being discharged from the Army in October 1955, he returned to complete his four year surgical residency in Portland.
In December 1956, Quentin and Barbara welcomed their first child, Kent, in Portland. He was followed by a sister, Karen, in June 1959. In July of that year, the family moved to Boise, where Quentin and former medical school classmate, Clay Morgan, co-founded Mountain View Medical Center. In May of 1961, Quentin and Barbara had their third child, Kristine, and then their fourth and final child, Kathryn, was born in November of 1964.
Quentin was a physician and surgeon in Boise for 34 years. During this time, he was appointed to the Idaho Board of Medicine, where he served as chairman for two years. This was followed by three years on the Board of Professional Discipline. He was also the President of the Idaho chapter of the American College of Surgeons and was the Governor representing Idaho in the American College of Surgeons. He was the first physician appointed to the Board of Trustees of St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and was the Chairman of the Department of Surgery for two years. He also served as President of the medical staff at St. Alphonsus from 1986 to 1988. It was during his term that he was named a Distinguished Citizen by The Idaho Statesman.
Quentin was also involved in several community groups including the Boy Scouts Advisory Council, the Visiting Nurses Association of Ada County and served as an ordained Elder at the First Presbyterian Church, where he was a member for over 50 years.
He was a strong Boise State Bronco supporter and a member of the Bronco Athletic Association for over 35 years. Quentin and Barbara enjoyed their season tickets for both football and basketball games for many years.
Other than medicine, Quentin’s passions included flying, working in his yard, photography and travel. After his retirement in 1992, Quentin and Barbara traveled the world and visited countries he had always wanted to see. He especially loved Norway as this was his family heritage. They loved cruises and made many new friends during their travels. He was also a wonderful story teller and he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a strong advocate for education and was very proud of the achievements of his children and grandchildren.
Quentin is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, one week short of 61 years of marriage. He is also survived by his son, Kent (Cindy) of Boise, and daughters Karen (David Claunch) of Federal Way, WA, Kristine (Richard Erne) of Boise, and Kathryn (Tim Marshall) of West Linn, OR. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Amanda Claunch of Seattle, WA, Nicole Claunch (Matt Deen) of Los Angeles, CA, Madeline and James Marshall of West Linn, OR, Andrew and Katelyn Quickstad and Kyle and Sydney Erne of Boise.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Maier and the staff of Mountain View Medical Center, Dr. Steven Writer, Idaho Heart Care, and the staff of St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for the care they have provided over the years. They also listened to his stories of the early years at the hospital, which he enjoyed telling.
A family graveside service was conducted on Wednesday, June 8. A Celebration of Quentin’s life will be held on June 16 at 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 950 West State Street, Boise.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Boise State University Nursing Scholarship Fund, St. Alphonsus Foundation, First Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.
We love you. You will be missed,
Your family
1926 – 2016
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