Renowned physician, beloved by family

Brent E. Krantz M.D., 66, died peacefully on Aug. 21, 2011. Brent was born in Central City on Dec. 7, 1944. He graduated from Blair High School with honors, where his father was Superintendent of Schools. His high school athletic achievements in football and basketball contributed to his lifelong love of sports. A lifelong Cornhusker fan and a recent Gamecock fan, his love of football continued throughout his life.

He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., and went on to the University of Nebraska to obtain his medical degree where he also did his residency in General Surgery. Following his residency, he served for two years in the United States Army in Fort Riley, Kan. He returned to Nebraska and served on the faculty of the University Of Nebraska College Of Medicine in Omaha, where he became a fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1978. At this time, he also became active in the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program and was instrumental in helping to promulgate it in the United States and throughout the world.

Later he moved into private practice with MeritCare Health Systems, Fargo, N.D. During his time in North Dakota, he was appointed to the ND Committee on Trauma (COT) in 1982 and served as its chair from 1987 to 1900. He became Chief of Region 8 from 1990-1994 and became a national COT member in 1991, at his time he was also appointed to the ATLS sub-committee and was the committee chair from 1992 to 1995. He has received the Advanced Trauma Life Support Meritorious Service Award and the Trauma Achievement Award. He taught the ATLS course in 12 states and 21 countries, and conducted ATLS site surveys in 14 countries.

He held a position as a professor in the Department of Surgery at the University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine, where he was able to combine his love of teaching and his love of medicine. His best advice to his residents was to “be kind”. A highlight of his career was teaching the residents to provide the String of Pearls talk each year which he considered a great honor.

Brent and his wife, Roseann, enjoyed traveling, working and playing together over their 20-plus years of marriage. They moved to The Villages in Florida to retire, enjoy the beautiful weather and golf. Their time together in Florida was short, as Brent nursed Roseann until her death. Brent continued to enjoy golfing, traveling and spending time with his extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ben E. Krantz; his mother, Bernice “Bee” Krantz; his brother, Frank Krantz; his uncle, Milton Kaiser and his beloved wife, Roseann and his in-laws, Jack and Olga Auld.

Memorial of him will be carried forward by his daughters, Kirsten Krantz, Karin Bloemaker, Kerry Falke, Sherrie Syverson and his son, Jim Campbell, who will greatly miss him. Jessica Falke, Ben Bloemaker, Nick Bloemaker, Annika Bagazinski, Max E. Bagazinski and Genevieve Bagazinski, his grandchildren, will greatly miss their Poppy, with his fun stories, joy of life and his unending willingness to spoil them.

Brent’s sons-in-law, Ted Bloemaker, Mike Bagazinski, Wade Falke and Stephen Syverson will miss his advice, the opportunity to golf, play games and watch TV with him in the coming years. He is also survived by his brother and sisters-in-law, Phil and Murph Auld and Florence Auld. He will be sorely missed by his aunt, Mary Kaiser, and his cousins, Dr. Bob and Pat Kaiser, Ron and Jenny Kaiser, Linda and John Livers, Dave and Darla Kaiser and their children. Brent’s friends made throughout his lifelong journey will miss his teasing jokes, great storytelling and heart of gold as many have said he was a friend for life.

In his memory, donations are appreciated to the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma, % Carol Williams, at 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611.

He will be remembered at a Celebration of Life Service at 10:30 a.m. Sept 17 at Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive in Omaha.

Note: The same article appeared in the Omaha World Herald on 4 Sept 2011 except it added: Pelan Funeral Services Oakland, Oakland, NE 402-685-5673. www.pelanfuneralservices.com