Robert. T. "Bob" Jensen's Obituary
Dr. Robert Travis Jensen, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, war hero, trusted friend and life-long servant of Christ, went to be with his beloved Lord and Savior this December 5th. He was born to John and Katherine Jensen in Minot, North Dakota, March 19th, 1926, and grew up on a farm in the North Woods of Minnesota.
Dr. Bob, as he came to be affectionately known, came from the humblest of beginnings to earn a medical degree, graduating from The University of Minnesota Medical School in 1948. He volunteered for military service, at the age of twenty-four. During the Korean War he served as a battalion surgeon, and was shortly afterwards promoted to regimental surgeon, the youngest of that rank in the Korean War theater. He was awarded a Bronze Star, Silver Star, Combat Medical Badge, four Battle Stars, and a battle-field promotion to Major.
Bob completed his residency in Internal Medicine, and later earned a Doctor of Tropical Medicine & Health, a Master's of Public Health, and was certified by the American Board of Medicine in Preventive Medicine.
In 1954, Bob married Rosemary McEachern, and remained her loving and faithful husband for 60 years. Bob was the father of three daughters, Annie, Katherine, and Tova.
Bob served as the chief of medical services at Fort Meade Army Hospital in Maryland from 1955 to 1957. His first daughter, Annie was born during this time.
Bob and Rosemary felt a calling to the mission field, and served in Tanzania, Africa, from 1957 until 1966. He first served as the physician in charge of a 120-bed mission hospital in Bumbuli, Tanzania. During this time he personally delivered his second and third daughters.
In 1962, he and his family moved to Moshi, Tanzania. During this time, he accomplished his dream for Africa, to provide quality medical treatment for the people. He secured the funding and planning for the construction of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, a 450-bed teaching hospital, which continues today at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Upon his return to the United States, Bob re-entered the military, and received advanced training at Johns Hopkins and did research in tropical disease control at Walter Reed during the crisis of the Vietnam War.
In 1969, he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan where he was the Director of the Health Education & Welfare, and responsible for trilateral negotiations between the United States, the Ryukyu Islands, and Japan. For that service he was awarded the Legion of Merit. While in Okinawa, Bob and Rosemary welcomed Barbie to their family unit.
Upon his return to the United States in 1971, Bob was assigned to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, as the Director of Preventive Medicine at the U.S. Army Academy of Health Sciences. He planned and directed numerous educational programs in Preventive Medicine for the U.S. Army, and was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to Legion of Merit. In 1976, he retired from the Army as a full Colonel.
From 1976-1998, Bob served in numerous medical capacities, consistently serving the poor and needy. He worked as the Chief of Medicine at the San Antonio State Chest Hospital. He was also the Medical Director of the Medina County Health System in Hondo, serving indigent populations through clinics. As an Associate Professor with the Department of Family Practice, he developed Geriatric Training for medical students and residents. He also spent several years pursuing solutions to the growing problem of HIV/AIDS. He lectured in medical fields of interest, and published numerous papers.
In 1998 he formally retired from his medical career, after 50 years of service. From inventing sanitary systems, to working at clinics for the indigent, to caring for family, friends and missionaries, Dr. Bob's focus was always to show the love of Jesus through his mercy, kindness and never ending compassion.
In San Antonio, Bob and Rosemary welcomed a number of other teenage girls into their home for brief times. Margie became a foster daughter in the Jensen home in 1973.
Bob co-founded the Rafiki Foundation with his wife Rosemary and two other partners and remained foundational supporter until the day he died.
Bob also wrote and published his memoir, Bloody Snow (available upon request from the Rafiki Foundation, www.rafikifoundation.org), about his experiences in the Seventh Infantry Regiment as a battalion and regimental surgeon, during the Korean War.
Bob was a man of faith, humble, tender, kind, consistent, self-sacrificing, well-read, brilliant, honorable, unselfish, passionate, courageous, problem-solving, adventure-loving, fun-loving, witty, wise and compassionate. He listened to his patients and made those around him feel valued. There are many people who owe their very lives to his heroism, medical care, advice, or as a result of his influence. He faithfully loved his Lord, his family, and many others.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Rosemary, his three daughters, Annie Jensen, Katherine Cook, and Tova Kreps, nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to gather for viewing on Tuesday, December 9 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the Hamlin & Hilbish Chapel.
A funeral ceremony will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the St. Andrews Chapel, 5525 Wayside Drive, Sanford, FL 32771.
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