Dr. John Spur

John Spur, MD, FACS, 89, died Sunday, November 16, 2008, at his home in Fargo, ND.
John Spur was born, raised and educated in Krapje, Slovenia. His parents were devout Christians. He was in the last half year of medical school at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, when he was arrested and interred by the Germans in a civilian concentration camp in Gonars, Italy. In 1945, when the Communists took over Yugoslavia, including Slovenia, he escaped to Austria and finished medical school at Karl Franzens University, with a doctor's degree in Graz, Austria, in 1951. He became a refugee and was sponsored by his friend, Dr. Villibald Jenko of Butte, MT, where he finished his internship. His five-year surgical residency, plus two years preceptorship, took place in Toledo and Cleveland, OH. Dr. Spur was in surgical practice in Cleveland for five years. He then joined the surgical staff in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Beckley, WV.
Dr. Spur was married to Elizabeth Hamrick at St. Mary's Collingwood Catholic Church, Cleveland, by the Rev. Joseph Varga. They celebrated their 50th anniversary at a mass in Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo. They had three daughters, a son, and one grandson. In 1969, John transferred to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo and advanced to Associate Professor in General Surgery at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. He also served as Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy at North Dakota State University, Fargo.
Senator Max Cleland, Administrator of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, gave him a special commendation for excellent service to veterans. In 1989, he was honored to address surgical residents for their completion of surgical training at UND. He was very well received by his peers and students. Dr. Spur retired in 1993. During retirement, Dr. Spur worked part-time at the Veterans Hospital and the Military Processing Center in Fargo.
Dr. Spur was a member of the American College of Surgeons, VA Surgeons, Board of Abdominal Surgeons, Civilian Ex-POW's, Knights of Columbus, Christian Physicians and Dentists. He was a founder of the Catholic Physicians Guild serving in offices in West Virginia. He was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Dr. Spur greatly appreciated their assistance and fellowship. He was devoted to medicine, his patients and their families.
He is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 53 years; three daughters, Julia, Martha, and Marianne; one son, Mark; one grandson, Matthew; one sister, Zalka Klemensek, Mozirje, Slovenia; and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his
Dr. Spur's body was deeded and sent to the Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of North Dakota for medical students and for research.
The family asks for your prayers and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the Fargo Senior Commission Meals on Wheels and Service Transportation, or a charity of your choice.
Memorial service: Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at 10 AM, Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.