Dr. Robert Agnew

With the Gaither song, “Because He Lives”, playing in the background, Robert Fletcher Agnew left this earth and entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus, as his heart stopped at 12:00 am, December 15, 2024, and he went Home. He was 86 years old. As one of his grandsons shared in a tribute, “Grandpa is having the best Sunday he has ever had!”

Born during a blizzard on February 19, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, to Alfred Ernest Agnew and Thelma (Howells) Agnew, he was raised in the home of Salvation Army officer pastors. This resulted in multiple moves, as his parents were transferred to serve in various locations such as Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh PA, and New York, New York.

While in college at the University of Chicago, he felt God calling him to serve him as a physician. His proposal to his wife of 56 ½ years was to ask her if she would be willing to marry a doctor. She said yes, and on August 29, 1959, he married Elizabeth Jean “Beth” Cruickshanks. They were together until her death in February 2016.

As an adult he lived in Syracuse, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Dugway Proving Grounds, UT, while served in the US Army, back in Philadelphia, and on to Fargo, ND, where he became the second heart surgeon in North Dakota. He was a member of Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Gideon’s International, Great Plains Harmony Barbershop Chorus, several different Bible studies, and a lifelong member of The Salvation Army as his church home, where he served as the Corps Sergeant Major.

They added members to their family over the years through birth, fostering and adoption, and parented about twenty-five children, including three of their grandsons.

One of their grandsons wrote, “He spent 86 years on this earth, with much of that time spent praising his Lord and Savior. What a joy it must be for him to finally see Jesus face-to-face as he gives his worship! 

He is made whole, and he is at peace. Those who know him could describe him as a barbershop singer, Gideons International member, doctor, missionary, friend, mentor, role model, or even words such as dad, foster parent, and grandpa (as well as son and husband, but those who would call him that are reunited with him). But there is no better way to describe him than as a devout and loving Christian man. He completed his various roles to the best of his ability, but his primary goal was to point others to Jesus. 

While his many attributes including his compassion, intellect, musical gifts, and love for his neighbor are immeasurable, it is his faith that stands above all of that. His life demonstrated his unwavering commitment to being the hands and feet of God.”

Known by some as Fletcher or Fletch, others as Bob, Robert, or Doc, and by his children and grandchildren as Dad and Grandpa, his presence will be greatly missed, if until we see him again at our Master’s feet in Heaven.

Dr Bob Agnew leaves behind daughters: Susan (Paul) Marshall, Debbie Agnew, Pam (Hugo) Boj-Rivas, Karen (Bob) Marshall, Patty Haberstroh, Becky (Mike) Erbes, Heather (Bobby) Craig, sons: Gaillin Bergstrom, Stephen Barnes, James Kemmer, and Eduardo Andino Pozas, honorary daughter: Doris White, additional foster children throughout the years, grandchildren Matthew Flink, Luke (Jayme) Flink, PJ Marshall, Justin (Paige) Marshall, Christopher (Kim) Jackson, Andrew (Sheree) Jackson, Jamal Jackson, Daniel (Carmen) Marshall, Erin Marshall, Stephany Haberstroh, Stacy Haberstroh, Gabrielle Erbes, Audrey Kemmer, Evangeline Craig, Eliza Craig, Melody Craig, Ayden Bergstrom, Genesis Andino, Jasmine White, multiple great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Beth, siblings: Eljeane Gibson, Ernie Agnew, and infant sister Thelma, and granddaughter Haley Bergstrom.

Today, because of Jesus’ gift of Salvation for all who accept it for themselves, they are reunited at Home in Heaven, and some day, the rest have the hope of seeing him at Home again there.

A visitation and viewing are planned on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Korsmo Funeral Services in Moorhead, Minnesota. The Funeral is scheduled for 11:00 am, Saturday, December 28, 2024, at The Salvation Army, 304 Roberts Street North, Fargo, ND 58102. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Garden on South University in Fargo, following the funeral lunch.

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)