Dr.Alan Bloom

WEBSTER- Dr. Alan Bloom, 59 of Webster died on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at Sanford Hospital in Webster. His funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. Burial at Webster Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service (fiksdalfuneral.com) in Webster on Monday 5-8 P.M with a 7 P.M. prayer service. Visitation continues at church one hour prior to service on Tuesday. Alan Ray Bloom was born on Thursday, April 6, 1950 to Fred “Pete” and Geraldine (Pies) Bloom at Webster, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at American Lutheran Church in Webster. The family lived on a farm south of Webster in Wheatland Township, Day County where he attended country school through the fifth grade and then transferred into Webster where he graduated from high school in 1968. He attended S.D.S.U. in Brookings from 1968 to 1972 where he was in R.O.T.C. and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree for Chemistry. On September 11, 1971 he married Sylvia Knapp at Waubay, South Dakota. From 1973 to 1978 he served active duty as a pilot with the United States Air Force as a Commissioned Officer. He received his pilot training in Big Spring, Texas; in 1974 he received his B52 training at Merced Air Force Base in California; in 1977 he attended Squadron Officer School in Montgomery, Alabama. He was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan from 1974 to 1978. While in Michigan he received his Masters of Arts Degree for Public Administration in 1976. The couple moved to Vermillion, South Dakota where he received a Masters of Science for Biology in 1980 and graduated from the Medical School at U.S.D in 1985. He was an Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Squadron Commander with the Iowa Air National Guard in Sioux City from 1980 to 1988. He completed his Family Practice Residency in 1988 through UND in Fargo, ND. The family then moved to Webster where he began his medical practice at the Day County Medical Center which continued until the present time. He received a Fellowship with the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1991. He served with the SD Air National Guard in Sioux Falls from 1988 until 1994 as Clinic Commander and State Air Surgeon. On June 13, 1992 he was united in marriage to Rita (Nielsen) Grupe at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. The couple resided in Webster. He retired in 1994 as a Lt. Colonel with over twenty years of military service. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. He enjoyed trap shooting and was a member of the Webster Clay Bird Club. He belonged to many different medical organizations and served on several boards. He also was an avid hunter and a member of many wildlife organizations including the Isaak Walton League. As a young man he was active in 4-H, an accomplished pianist, and church organist for the American Lutheran Church. He was a life member of Herbert McKennett Post 40 American Legion. He took extra time with his patients and enjoyed time talking with them. He was very devoted to the Day County area and its people. And he always enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and, dearly loved his grandchildren. Dr. Bloom passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 5 days. Survivors include his wife, Rita of Webster; one son, Alan Grayson (Michelle) Bloom of Laurel, MD; two daughters, Alia (David) Bartell of Fargo, ND and Allegra (Clint) Duerre of Bristol, SD; two step-sons, Ross Grupe of Webster, SD and Ben (Natasha) Grupe of Rapid City, SD; one step-daughter, Elizabeth (Dan) Basye of Watertown, SD; four grandchildren, Soren & Claire Bartell, Georgia & Max Duerre; and five step-grandchildren, Abbie & Kiera Grupe, Tyler, Rianne & Dane Basye. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Gaye.