Kermit B. Knudsen

1931 - 2019

Kermit B. Knudsen obituary, 1931-2019, Durango, CO

BORN

1931

DIED

2019

Kermit Knudsen Obituary

Knudsen, Kermit B.

age 87, of Minneapolis, MN formerly of Columbus, IN, Durango, CO, and Temple, TX passed away January 13, 2019.

Born in 1931 in Minneapolis, MN to the late Walter and Myrtle Knudsen, Kermit attended Lawrence College, Appleton, WI where he met his wife of 60 years, Karen H. Knudsen. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago in 1956. Following his internship year at St. Louis City Hospital in 1957, he served two years in the Navy and the Marines in San Diego. Afterward he returned to his graduate medical education at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, completing an Internal Medicine residency and a fellowship in Gastroenterology while on active duty with the United States Air Force. In 1963 he began four years as Chief of Gastroenterology at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital in San Antonio. In 1969 he joined the senior staff at Scott and White Clinic in Temple, Texas in the Division of Gastroenterology.

During his 28 years at Scott and White he served in numerous leadership roles including the Chairman of Medicine and Chief of Gastroenterology. From 1979 to 1992, Kermit served as the President of Scott and White Clinic and the Chief of staff of Scott and White Memorial Hospital. leadership, Scott and White was transformed to an expansive regional healthcare network across Central Texas, develop nationally recognized and helped establish the Texas A&M College of Medicine with the main clinical teaching campus in Temple, Texas.

Dr. Knudsen was passionately committed to the multispecialty group practice model throughout his career. He served 9 years on the board of American Medical Group Practice including 1 year as President from 1989-1990.

The latter part of his medical career, Kermit focused his attention and efforts on health care reform, and public accountability. He participated in the well-regarded Jackson Hole Group that serves as a guiding force in discussions about the future of healthcare delivery. He served five years on the Advisory Committee to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. He also established the Center for Outcomes Studies at Scott and White in 1992.

After retiring in 1996, he served 4 years as a board member of Health System Minnesota predecessor to Park Nicollet Health Services. He also served on the Stratis Health Advisory Board, in the late 1990s a non-profit healthcare quality improvement organization based in Bloomington, MN.

Kermit spent his later years outside of Durango, Colorado with his late wife Karen. They enjoyed sharing their time and home with their beloved family including a growing number of grandchildren. He volunteered his time working and maintaining the common grounds at Falls Creek Ranch and served with the local Kiwanis Club. Later moving from Colorado to Columbus, Indiana and then to Minneapolis, MN. Kermit lived his final years at the Waters on 50th sharing his sharp wit and humor surrounded by a caring community of neighbors, caregivers, and family.

Kermit is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and his sister, Joan (late Albert) Perlin. He is survived by his 5 children, Peter (Allyson) Knudsen of Chanhassen, MN; Mark (Nancy) Knudsen of Dallas, TX; John (Brian Austin) Knudsen of Minneapolis; Lisa (Eric) Porte of Minneapolis; and Karen (George) Dutro of Columbus, IN. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, and 6 nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life service was held at the Waters on 50th Wednesday, January 16 at 2 PM. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Private interment will occur at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, IN.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508 or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Published by The Durango Herald on Jan. 16, 2019.
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