1927
Dr.
2009
Dr. Robert Dracy
May 1, 1927 — December 12, 2009
Dr. Robert E. "Doc" Dracy, age 82 of Cannon Falls, died at his home on Saturday afternoon, December 12, 2009 after a lengthy convalescence from numerous strokes and heart attacks.
Doc was born on May 1, 1927 to John and Kate (Sexton) Dracy. He attended Bruno, MN elementary and high school, where he lettered twice in softball. Doc was also active in 4-H. He won several trips to the Jr. Livestock Show in South Saint Paul, where he earned numerous blue ribbons for lambs.
Doc was admitted to the University of Minnesota at the end of his junior year, but chose to finish his senior year making him the only child in his family to graduate from high school. In September, 1945, Doc entered the US Marine Corp. He served in the Corp until he was honorably discharged in October, 1946. He then entered the U of MN in the pre-veterinary medicine program. While attending school, he met Marjorie Smallidge. The two were married June 19, 1952 at the St. Paul Park United Church of Christ.
In June 1953, Doc graduated from the U of MN as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In October 1953, he started his practice in Cannon Falls. In 1967, he joined a group of MN veterinarians on a "People to People" tour to several European countries and Russia, visiting veterinary facilities in each. In 1973, Doc realized his dream of designing and building the Cannon Falls Veterinary Clinic. Doc practiced veterinary medicine for 33 years, until retiring in 1986 due to poor health. After retirement, he still kept active as a veterinarian, working part time as a livestock inspector at the South Saint Paul stockyards. Doc also served as the veterinarian for the Cannon Valley Fair for over 40 years, and was named Grand Marshall of the July 4th parade in 1997.
Doc was a member of the American and the MN Veterinary Medicine Association, the American Legion, a past president of the Rotary Club, and a past patron of Zion Chapter #6 O.E.S. He was a 50 year member of Oriental Lodge #34 A.F. & A.M. His many interests included golf, bowling, photography, traveling, camping, fishing, deer hunting, and big game hunting in Montana. Doc also loved playing cards, especially bridge, and just being with people. In recent years, he spent the winters in McAllen, Texas.
Doc is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Marge; sons, John (Pat) of Fair Lawn, NJ, and Bob Jr. (Joyce) of Oshkosh, WI; daughters, Ann Anderson and Carol Dracy, both of McAllen, TX; 4 grandchildren, Kate Dracy (Dr. Kevin Chen) of Emeryville, CA, Brian Dracy of Madison, WI, Kersten Anderson of Tulsa, OK, and John Dracy III of Fair Lawn, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and one sister.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls, with Chaplain Jeff Wallager officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 28 from 5-8 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
Doc was born on May 1, 1927 to John and Kate (Sexton) Dracy. He attended Bruno, MN elementary and high school, where he lettered twice in softball. Doc was also active in 4-H. He won several trips to the Jr. Livestock Show in South Saint Paul, where he earned numerous blue ribbons for lambs.
Doc was admitted to the University of Minnesota at the end of his junior year, but chose to finish his senior year making him the only child in his family to graduate from high school. In September, 1945, Doc entered the US Marine Corp. He served in the Corp until he was honorably discharged in October, 1946. He then entered the U of MN in the pre-veterinary medicine program. While attending school, he met Marjorie Smallidge. The two were married June 19, 1952 at the St. Paul Park United Church of Christ.
In June 1953, Doc graduated from the U of MN as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In October 1953, he started his practice in Cannon Falls. In 1967, he joined a group of MN veterinarians on a "People to People" tour to several European countries and Russia, visiting veterinary facilities in each. In 1973, Doc realized his dream of designing and building the Cannon Falls Veterinary Clinic. Doc practiced veterinary medicine for 33 years, until retiring in 1986 due to poor health. After retirement, he still kept active as a veterinarian, working part time as a livestock inspector at the South Saint Paul stockyards. Doc also served as the veterinarian for the Cannon Valley Fair for over 40 years, and was named Grand Marshall of the July 4th parade in 1997.
Doc was a member of the American and the MN Veterinary Medicine Association, the American Legion, a past president of the Rotary Club, and a past patron of Zion Chapter #6 O.E.S. He was a 50 year member of Oriental Lodge #34 A.F. & A.M. His many interests included golf, bowling, photography, traveling, camping, fishing, deer hunting, and big game hunting in Montana. Doc also loved playing cards, especially bridge, and just being with people. In recent years, he spent the winters in McAllen, Texas.
Doc is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Marge; sons, John (Pat) of Fair Lawn, NJ, and Bob Jr. (Joyce) of Oshkosh, WI; daughters, Ann Anderson and Carol Dracy, both of McAllen, TX; 4 grandchildren, Kate Dracy (Dr. Kevin Chen) of Emeryville, CA, Brian Dracy of Madison, WI, Kersten Anderson of Tulsa, OK, and John Dracy III of Fair Lawn, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and one sister.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls, with Chaplain Jeff Wallager officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 28 from 5-8 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
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