DR. Robert Edward Engebrecht MD

Dr. Robert Edward Engebrecht passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at St. James Healthcare in Butte. He was born in Arenzville, Illinois Saturday, September 12, 1936 to Edward and Dorothy (Witte) Engebrecht. Bob was raised on a farm in Illinois, earned his bachelor’s degree at Illinois College and earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in 1962. In January of 1966 he entered the United States Army and served as a surgeon in Viet Nam. He finished his military service in Butte as the MEPS physician and was discharged in January of 1968. He served his residency at Hines VA Hospital near Chicago and when completed returned to Butte in 1970. Dr. Engebrecht was an avid fisherman and photographer but is better remembered as an accomplished organist and pianist. He was a longtime and active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where he played organ for countless Sunday services, funeral and weddings. He performed a Christmas concert at St. Mark’s every year for 25 years for the benefit of the Butte Food Bank and his last concert was dedicated in memory of his brother Donald. He along with three other Butte doctors had a band and the four of them would have great fun playing all the oldies from the 40s 50’s and 60’s. He and Mary were married in St. Mark’s nearly 20 years ago and she survives. Also surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Ruth Ann Engebrecht of Jacksonville, IL, Steve and Tammie Engebrecht of Helena and Dr. Brian and Christine Engebrecht of Milan, IL. He is also survived by the beloved widow of Donald, Carolyn Engebrecht and their nephew, Danny, his wife, Karen and niece Donnette all of Jacksonville, Illinois, his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Mae and Leroy Mason of Browns Valley, California. Other survivors include 20 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren Mary’s children, David and Johnette Lopez of Greensboro, NC, MaryLou and Chris Couri of Peoria, IL and Maria Elena and Patrick Job of Las Vegas, NV, and his former wife, Ann Engebrecht of Colona, IL. Besides his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his sisters Joyce Kleinschmidt and Bernita Kleinschmidt and his brother Donald Engebrecht. Cremation has taken place. Dr. Engebrecht’s family will receive friends Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where memorial services will be conducted at 11 o’clock. Memorial services and interment of ashes will take place in Jacksonville, Illinois at a later date. Memorials in memory of Dr. Engebrecht may be made to the Butte Emergency Food Bank or the Backpack Program though the Montana Food Bank. Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.

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DR. Robert Edward Engebrecht MD

September 12, 1936 - July 14, 2021