George V. Tangen ’52

George left us Jan. 29, 2013, succumbing to myelodysplastic syndrome.

At Princeton as a premed major, he roomed with Ed Burka, Al Benjamin, and Geoff Nunes, and was a cheerleader for our undefeated football teams. He married his high-school sweetheart, Jeanne, in 1953, and began a distinguished medical career after earning his medical degree in 1956 and a specialty degree in otolaryngology in 1960 from the University of Minnesota.

He saw military service overseas, where he was attached to a military hospital in France. This enabled him to make many trips in Europe, including to East Germany before “the wall” came down.

After his retirement in 1996, he was chairman of the board of a prominent company specializing in medical malpractice insurance. He provided leadership in the health field and in pro bono civic service, taking pride in being elected to the Eden Prairie (Minn.) City Council in 1980 and president of the Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Society. A dedicated Minnesotan, George was a lifelong fan of the University of Minnesota football team and an enthused booster of his large family, his profession, and his community.

To Jeanne, his wife of 59 years; their children, Cindy, Chris, Linnea, and George (“Chip”); 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, the class sends its condolences. (Edward Tiryakian prepared this memorial.)