Obituary for Dr. Robert Carnahan - Family well known around region
Longtime Casper resident, Dr. Robert C. Carnahan MD, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center, with his wife and youngest son by his side.
“Dr. Bob” was born in Ardmore, SD, on August 6, 1922, to John and Mabel Carnahan. He was raised on the family ranch at Orella, NE, with his 5 brothers and one sister, living in a small railroad section house. At an early age, Bob and his siblings were all charged with caring for their livestock and each other during an economically difficult period.
As a young adult, Bob and his brother Jack moved to Whitney, NE, tending to their own livestock and wheat fields.
In 1948, Bob moved to Fort Collins, CO where he attended Colorado A&M (now CSU). He returned home during the blizzard of 1948-1949 to assist his family with their livestock during that devastating winter. In the fall of 1949, Bob enrolled at Chadron State College, Chadron, NE, where he met his wife to be, Annabelle.
Bob continued his education at the University of Nebraska Medical School in Omaha. He and Ann were married on August 16, 1953. After completing medical school, the couple moved to Spartanburg, SC, Riverton, WY, and then in 1957 to Buffalo, WY, where he practiced medicine for about 9 years. In 1966, Bob began his orthopaedic residency at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. The family returned to Wyoming in 1969, where he joined an orthopedic practice in Casper with Dr. Harlan Anderson. Bob treated thousands of patients over the next 18 years, retiring in 1987 . Dr. Bob was always proud when a former patient would stop him on the street, or on the golf course, and thank him for his medical care.
In the early 1970’s Bob also purchased a cattle ranch in western Nebraska, near his family’s homestead. Bob and Ann also enjoyed traveling to their winter residence in Arizona until Bob’s health dictated that they remain close to home. He was a member of the Lion’s Club of Casper for several years.
Bob was a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a past member of the Wyoming Medical Society, and was past Chief of Surgery of Natrona County Memorial Hospital (WMC).
Bob is survived by his wife Ann, his sons and their wives Bob (Karen) Carnahan of Fort Collins, CO; Randy (Cindy) Carnahan of Casper; grandchildren Matt, Mitch and Kelsey of Colorado, and Ashley of Casper; brothers Jack of Chadron, NE, and Jim of Sheridan, WY, sister Dorothy Landers of Hilton Head Island, SC, and dozens of nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Ansel, Kenneth and Richard.
At Dr. Bob’s request, no services are planned. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Newcomer funeral home. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions to the Lions Club of Casper Alan H Stewart Blind Camp, or The Blue Envelope Health Fund in Dr. Bob’s memory.
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