K. ROBERT LANG, M.D., a longtime orthopedic surgeon of Skagit County, WA, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2003 at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. He died secure in the knowledge of God’s love for him, and the promise of a resurrection morning.
The son of Kenneth & Marguerite Lang, Bob was born on December 29, 1935 in Tacoma, WA. He attended Stadium High School in Tacoma, subsequently graduating from Auburn Adventist Academy in 1953 and from Walla Walla College in 1957. He married Anita Hilde of Sedro-Woolley in 1957. After receiving his medical degree from Loma Linda University in 1961, he served an internship at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.
Dr. Lang practiced general medicine in Seattle and Puyallup until 1966, when he was called to serve in the U.S. Army in Germany. In 1969 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Major. He then served as the school physician for Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and was an assistant professor at the Theological Seminary there until 1973.
In 1974 he returned to Loma Linda, completing an orthopedic surgery residency in 1977, followed by a fellowship with Sir John Charnley at the Wrightington Hip Centre in Wigan, England. Dr. Lang then began his orthopedic practice in Sedro-Woolley, WA. In 1994 a dream was realized when his daughter, Kaarsten R. Lang, M.D. returned to the Skagit Valley to practice orthopedic surgery with him. He was united in marriage to Bonnie Bellos in 1995. Dr. Lang retired from private practice in December of 2001.
Professional affiliations include; Skagit County Medical Society Past President; Washington State Medical Association Delegate; Puget Chapter of the Western Orthopedic Association Chairman of the Labor and Industries Committee; the Neufeld Society Past President; and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Dr. Lang is survived by his wife Bonnie of La Conner; daughter Kaarsten R. Lang, M.D. and her husband Lester Richards, M.D., of Bayview; son Kendell Lang and his wife Patti of Encinitas, CA; daughter, Kristiana Lang of La Conner, and the mother of his children, Anita Hilde Lang of La Conner. The lights of his life were his grandchildren, Jefferson and Kallan Richards, Kamden and Kjersti Lang and Kensington Lang.
Dr. Lang is also survived by his brothers, Bernie Lang and his wife Dorothy of Shelton, WA and William Lang and his wife Joan of Puyallup, WA. Additional survivors include dear cousin Edna Ryan of Sedro-Woolley and uncle Fred Gilbertson of Tacoma, WA, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his step-children, Melissa Cisneros and husband Art of Mount Vernon, Mary Franks and husband Ken of Big Lake, and George Bellos and wife Cindy of Sedro-Woolley. Step-grandchildren, Anna Bellos, Dylan and Tia Cisneros, Jason, Jennifer and Christina Franks and Jacob and Jacyln Bellos.
Dr. Lang was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth & Marguerite Lang, a nephew Donald Lang and a niece Stacey Lang Hungerford.
An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Lang enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing, and skiing. Special interests included collecting antiques, traveling, tracing family genealogy, and listening to a wide variety of music. He treasured time spent with his children and grandchildren, who referred to him as ‘Poppa’.
During his years of medical practice, Dr. Lang thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful people of the Skagit Valley who gave him the privilege of providing their orthopedic care.
Dr. Lang wished to express his gratitude to Dr. Bryant Adams, Dr. Russell and Judy Anderson, Dr. Dean and Lois Dietrich, special friend Roger LaFleur, Clifton Smith, Dr. Vanoy Smith and Dr. Jerry and Kathy Willins for their friendship and personal support. Dr. Lang greatly appreciated the excellent medical care provided by Dr. Robert Stewart, Dr. Larry Moss, Dr. Houshang Shetabi and Dr. Jonathan Fish.
A special thank you is sent to the devoted nurses and therapists of Mt. Baker Kidney Center in Bellingham, Option Care Services, Hilltop Pharmacy staff and La Conner Drug staff.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Skagit Adventist School in Burlington, WA, the Rancho Santa Fe Christian School in Encinitas, CA, Summersun Montessori in Mount Vernon, Loma Linda University Medical School, Loma Linda, CA or the Immaculate Conception School, Mount Vernon.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday April 24, 2003 at 3:00 pm at the North Cascade Seventh-day Adventist Church, 800 Peacock Lane, Burlington, where Dr. Lang was a member. Pastor Gary Fogelquist will be officiating.
Services and cremation arrangements under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share thoughts and memories of Dr. Lang and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com